Allina Health Buffalo Hospital gets latest joint surgery technology

Area patients can now benefit from surgeons trained on Mako 4 robotic surgical system, one of only two available in Minnesota

BUFFALO, Minn, (April 14, 2025) — Patients outside the Twin Cities metro area in need of arthroplasty – better known as joint replacement or reconstruction surgery – can now benefit from Allina Health Buffalo Hospital having the most advanced technology available. The recent addition of a Mako 4 robotic surgical system makes Allina Health Buffalo Hospital one of only two hospitals in Minnesota with this technology.

The hospital will use the Mako 4 system in joint surgeries such as partial and total knee replacements, total knee revisions (“replacement of artificial joint”), total hip replacements and revisions. The Mako is also the only system with robotic arm-assisted capabilities for completing total shoulder arthroplasty. Buffalo Hospital expects to offer shoulder surgeries with this platform late 2025 or early 2026.

The Mako 4 offers several enhancements, such as: 

  • Advanced software with greater capabilities for initial replacement surgeries as well as revisions.

  • Added ability to do patient-specific surgery planning for more accurate placement of implants relative to the patient’s anatomy, which may improve patient safety.

  • Improved camera views of the surgery site and faster delivery to the computer for analysis by the surgery team, which can equate to faster surgeries.

Recently, the Allina Health Buffalo Hospital team successfully completed its one thousandth procedure using the Mako 3, the previous model. This marks the highest volume of Mako-assisted surgeries across the Allina Health system.

“We are fortunate to be one of the Midwest sites for the limited release of Mako 4.0,” said Orthopedic Surgeon Dana Harms, MD, Allina Health Buffalo Hospital. “With this newest platform we will be able to undertake the most challenging procedures – including revision hip and knee replacements and soon shoulder replacements – with greater precision and confidence.”

His colleague, Orthopedic Surgeon Jeff Theismann, MD, added, "At Buffalo Hospital we are proud to continue leading the integration of new technology into the care we offer our local community. Our excellent team combined with new technology will only help our patients."

This investment illustrates Allina Health’s commitment to providing innovative surgical technology that helps improve patient outcomes, reduce recovery time and lower the cost of care. According to Christopher Macomber, MD, MBA, FACS, medical director of Allina Health's robotic surgery and technology program, the health system has more than doubled its inventory of robotic surgical systems across its locations in recent years.

“Since 2018, surgeons at Allina Health have performed more than 23,000 robotic cases, making us a top robotics program in the region,” Dr. Macomber said. “Expanding technology outside of the larger metro hospitals and into our regional hospitals ensures surgeons have the best technology for their patients.”

Buffalo Mako
Dana Harms, MD, gets ready for another orthopedic surgery at Allina Health Buffalo Hospital with the latest Mako 4 technology.

About Allina Health

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, 13 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, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.