Image of the Mako Robotic Equipment

Robotic Precision Joint Replacement Surgery Now Available

July 25, 2019 – El Camino Health’s Los Gatos and Mountain View hospitals now offer robotic-arm assisted partial knee, total knee and total hip replacements with Stryker’s Mako System. Since initially launching the system in Mountain View earlier this year, surgeons have utilized the system to performed more than 100 knee replacement procedures. This advanced robotic technology transforms the way joint replacement surgery is performed, enabling orthopedic surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience with increased accuracy. 

Traditional joint replacement surgeries use information from static imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans or a MRI, captured before surgery to plan overall implant and bone alignment. The Mako System utilizes CT-based 3-D modeling of bone anatomy to help surgeons create a personalized surgical plan and identify the implant size, orientation and alignment based on each patient’s unique anatomy. Following the personalized pre-operative plan, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm during bone preparation to execute the pre-determined surgical plan and position the implant. The system also enables surgeons to virtually modify the surgical plan intra-operatively and assists the surgeon in executing bone resections.

“With this robotic surgery system, our orthopedic surgeons can provide each patient with a truly personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and anatomy,” said Dr. Mark Adams, chief medical officer of El Camino Health’s hospitals. “This results in improved outcomes, shorter length of stay and faster healing times for our patients. It’s transforming the way we perform knee and hip replacements.”

The newly deployed systems will keep El Camino Health on the leading-edge of orthopedic care. In addition to the Mako System, El Camino Health’s hospitals offer same-day hip and knee surgeries which means patients arrive at the hospital in the morning, have the procedure, and then spend the night in their own bed instead of a hospital bed. The Joint Commission has awarded Los Gatos Hospital certification in Hip and Knee Replacement, as well as Spinal Fusion Surgery. The Mountain View Hospital was the first California hospital to be certified by The Joint Commission in three areas for hip and knee surgery: Hip and Knee Replacement and Hip Fracture. These certifications are widely recognized benchmarks for overall program quality.