Des Peres Hospital First in St. Louis to Perform Partial Knee Resurfacing Procedure with MAKOplasty Robotic System

The two men had never met, but quickly struck up conversation over their shared experience as the first two MAKOplasty patients in the St. Louis area.  Less than 24 hours after surgery, both were up on crutches and eager to go home and begin the healing process.

Mr. Ronald Ruffin (61) and Mr. Gregory LaMar (50) were the first two MAKOplasty cases performed by Kirkwood-based orthopedic surgeon Matthew W. Bradley, MD, using the robotic interactive system.

MAKOplasty is a minimally invasive treatment option for adults with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis that has not progressed to all three compartments of the knee.  MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing is a new treatment option in St. Louis, available only at Des Peres Hospital.  It is less invasive than traditional total knee replacement surgery and is performed using RIO®, a highly advanced, surgeon-controlled robotic arm system.  

“With the MAKOplasty system, we can treat patients at earlier stages of joint degeneration, and with more precision,” said Dr Bradley. “These two patients had classic uni-compartmental degeneration, so they were prime candidates.” 

“This new technology is a great complement to our already strong orthopedics program,” said John Grah, chief executive officer for Des Peres Hospital. “For people who have been putting up with knee pain and putting off surgery, this may be a good option to explore.”

In the pre-operative phase, sophisticated imaging and software build a 3-D reconstruction of the patient’s joint.  This not only provides a blueprint for a customized patient-specific implant, it also allows the surgeon to position and align the implant with pinpoint accuracy.  “This is crucial for comfort, natural motion and implant longevity,” said Bradley.

During surgery, MAKOplasty is powered by the RIO robotic arm, which provides the surgeon with real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback to facilitate optimal joint resurfacing and implant positioning. 

The procedure offers the following potential benefits compared to standard total knee replacement surgery:

• Reduced blood loss
• Minimal hospitalization
• Rapid recovery
• Smaller incision
• Less scarring
• Less implant wear and loosening
• Better motion and a more natural feeling knee

The opportunity for early intervention is important, as osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability among adults in the US, according to the US Centers for Disease Control. 

Anyone interested in learning more about this procedure is invited to attend an upcoming free community seminar at Des Peres Hospital on May 22 or June 11.  Call 1- 877-874-1967 to register.