Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus Introduces Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery
Robotic knee surgery data indicates the technology has the potential to speed recovery and improve accuracy compared to standard procedures. If you live in Camden County and need knee surgery, Southeast Georgia Health System has some good news– robotic knee surgery technology is now available at the Health System’s Camden Campus.
The ROSA® Knee System provides precision guidance for surgeons who perform Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), also known as a Total Knee Replacement (TKR), restore mobility to people struggling with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or a traumatic injury. Degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis can cause pain, swelling, knee locking and eventually, bone-on-bone knee pain.
“ROSA’s leading-edge technology reflects the Health System’s commitment to our hospital and community. The Brunswick Campus has successfully used the MAKO robotic technology for years. Our orthopaedic surgeons can now offer Camden County residents the same high-level patient experience,” said Glenn Gann, vice president and administrator of the Camden Campus.
Orthopaedic surgeons J. Melvin Deese Jr., M.D. and Christopher Yonz, M.D., trained in the ROSA method. Both practice at Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery. They see several advantages to the new technology. “Because the ROSA was designed by surgeons, it allows us to make decisions during surgery that result in a well-balanced, well-aligned knee implant,” said Yonz.
“By providing real-time information on how a patient’s knee responds to different movements, we can properly align the limb,” explained Yonz, referring to ROSA’s tracking system which sends patient data to a surgeon during the procedure.
Deese elaborated further. “Using the data on the patient’s anatomy and soft tissue surrounding the knee, we’re able to create a very precise reconstruction plan.” In simplest terms, ROSA helps surgeons understand each patient’s unique anatomy so they can more closely match the size and shape of a knee implant to the patient.
“ROSA even helps match an implant to the patient’s gender, ethnicity and stature,” Yonz added.
Asked to highlight the technology’s most important feature, Deese said, “We can perform a ‘virtual knee replacement’ before making the first incision, which allows for the most accurate position and placement of the total knee components.”
ROSA’s efficient imaging system also reduces the patient’s exposure to radiation and the cost of imaging. “Investing in this technology further demonstrates our commitment to providing service excellence and improving patient care. Our physicians deserve to work with the latest technologies and our patients deserve to have the best care close to home,” said Gann.
To find out if you are a candidate for ROSA knee replacement, schedule a consultation with Dr. Deese or Dr. Yonz by calling Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery at 912-576-6355.
About Southeast Georgia Health System
Southeast Georgia Health System is a not-for-profit health system comprised of two acute care hospitals, two long term care facilities, three immediate care centers, five family medicine centers and numerous employed physician practices. The Health System has multiple outpatient specialty care centers, including the only CyberKnife® M6 Program in Georgia, and a Cancer Care Center accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The Health System is part of Coastal Community Health, a regional affiliation between Baptist Health and Southeast Georgia Health System forming a highly integrated hospital network focused on significant initiatives designed to enhance the quality and value of care provided to our contiguous communities. For more information, visit sghs.org.
###