Mako Robot Provides More Accurate Implant Placement for Total Hip and Partial Knee Replacement

After 13 years of playing professional football and enduring high levels of physical impact on his body, pro football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis is no stranger to joint pain. This past summer, “The Bus” teamed up with orthopedic surgeons from The Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital to talk with fans and joint pain suffers about the importance of mobility.

The doctors also demonstrated the new Mako™ System for total hip and partial knee replacement surgery. Silver Cross is the only facility in Will, Grundy and Kankakee counties offering Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis.

This new technology helps provide more accurate placement and alignment of a patient’s implant – all through a minimal incision.

“Accuracy is key in planning and performing both partial knee and total hip procedures,” said Dr. Tom Antkowiak, who performed the first procedure using the Mako robot at Silver Cross Hospital in August. “For a good outcome you need to align and position the implants just right.”

Mako Partial Knee Replacement is less invasive than traditional total knee surgery. A pre-surgical plan is created based on a CT scan of the patient’s own knee, and the surgeon uses the robotic arm during surgery to resurface the diseased portion of the knee, sparing healthy bone and surrounding tissue for a more natural feeling knee. An implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again.

“The Mako robot helps takes the guesswork out of surgery, resulting in a more accurate placement and alignment of your implant,” said Dr. Paul Trksak.

“Many patients experience a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and a rapid return to daily activities,” said Dr. Robert Daley.

During Mako Total Hip Replacement surgery, the Mako system provides visualization of the joint and biomechanical data to guide the bone preparation and implant positioning to match the pre-surgical plan. After first preparing the femur or thighbone, the surgeon uses the robotic arm to accurately ream and shape the acetabulum socket in the hip, and then implant the cup at the correct depth and orientation. The surgeon then implants the femoral implant.

“The Mako procedure offers the confidence of more accurate cup placement and accurate leg length restoration,” said Dr. Andrew Ehmke.

To ensure that joint replacement is a success, patients attend a special programto learn exactly what to anticipate before and after the surgery, the daily expectations of rehabilitation therapy, and what you can do to recover more quickly. If additional care is needed, patients benefit from Silver Cross Home Health and The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) at Silver Cross Hospital for inpatient and outpatient therapy. RIC has been ranked as the #1 Rehab hospital by U.S. News & World Report for 26 years in a row.

Learn more by attending one or more of the following free informational programs in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Register to attend at www.midwestroboticsurgery.org.

Partial Knee Replacement & Other Current Options for the Treatment of Knee Pain

Thursday, Sept. 22; 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Paul Trksak, will discuss arthritis and other causes of knee pain, review the various treatment options including partial and total knee replacement, and introduce the new Mako™ Robotic System.

Minimally Invasive Robotic Assisted Total Hip Replacement: The Future is Here

Monday, Oct. 3; 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Hip arthritis is extremely debilitating. When conservative treatment fails, hip replacement may be the answer. Dr. Andrew Ehmke, orthopedic surgeon, will talk about a this cutting edge technique that combines all of the benefits of the muscle sparing anterior approach along with the laser precision of robotics.

What’s New in Knee Replacement

Thursday, Dec. 1; 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Join Dr. Robert Daley, orthopedic surgeon, for a discussion on the latest minimally invasive knee replacement techniques including Mako™ robotic-arm assisted surgery allowing for a precise fit of the custom implant, increased bone preservation, added stability, and reduced pain.

Modern Advancements in the Treatment of Hip Pain

Thursday, Dec. 8. 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Dr. Tom Antkowiak, orthopedic surgeon, will talk about an innovative robotic arm solution for those suffering and in need of a total hip replacement to restore mobility and help you get back to an active lifestyle.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Truven Health Analytics 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years, a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers and was honored with an “A” Hospital Safety ScoreSM by The Leapfrog Group. With over 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 296-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2015, Silver Cross provided over $40 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org. Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services