BUFFALO, Minn. (Sept. 10) — Buffalo Hospital, Buffalo, Minnesota, is now home to the newest surgical robot in the region — the Stryker Mako Robotic Assisted-Arm™. The Stryker robot assists surgeons performing knee and hip replacements. It has been in use since August 16 at Buffalo Hospital. It is the only such device in use in the region.
“We are excited to have the Stryker Mako Robotic Assisted-Arm device now available for our joint replacement patients,” said Dr. Dana Harms, Buffalo Hospital orthopedic surgeon. “The Stryker Mako Robotic Assisted-Arm is a cutting-edge surgical tool that complements our orthopedic surgeons’ expertise, resulting in a quality one-day procedure, less pain and a quicker recovery for our patients.”
This advancement in joint replacement surgery transforms the way total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements are performed, by helping surgeons know more and cut less.
The Stryker Mako Robotic Assisted-Arm device consists of three unique components – 3D CT-based surgery planning, AccuStop™ haptic technology to control bone and soft tissue cutting, and insightful data analytics. In clinical studies, the Mako robot demonstrated the potential for patients to experience less pain, less need for opiate pain medications, less need for inpatient physical therapy, reduction in length of hospital stay, improved knee flexion and soft tissue protection in comparison to manual techniques.
“With the Mako robot, I know more about my patients than ever before, and I’m able to cut less. For some patients, this can mean less soft tissue damage, for others, greater bone preservation,” said Dr. Harms. “Mako’s 3D CT allows me to create a personalized plan based on each patient’s unique anatomy all before entering the operating room. It’s exciting to be able to offer this transformative technology to perform total knee, total hip and partial knee replacements.”
“We are proud to be among the first hospital to offer this highly advanced SmartRoboticsTM technology in our area,” said Kelly Spratt, president of Buffalo Hospital. “This addition to our orthopedic service line further demonstrates our commitment to provide the community with outstanding healthcare.”
To celebrate this new technology, all community members are invited to a Mako Open House on Tuesday, September 14. A presentation and robot demonstration will be provided at 3:30 pm.
Part of Allina Health, Buffalo Hospital is a not-for-profit regional medical center committed to providing exceptional care and improving the health of the communities it serves in and around Wright County.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.