New Ulm Medical Center brings robot-assisted knee surgery to south central Minnesota residents
NEW ULM, Minn. (Dec.10, 2025) — Patients in south central Minnesota in need of knee arthroplasty – better known as knee replacement or reconstruction surgery – can benefit from advanced surgical technology now offered at New Ulm Medical Center. The medical center’s recent addition of the CORI® robot-assisted surgical system means area patients can receive elevated care and save time as they can now receive the latest in precision treatment close to home.
Surgeons at New Ulm Medical Center are using the robot-assisted CORI surgical system in partial and total knee replacements as well as knee revisions (replacement of artificial joints) to enhance accuracy and personalization for each patient. Specifically, the system:
- creates a 3D digital model of the patient’s knee during surgery, allowing surgeons to create a customized surgical plan and more precisely place implants
- allows surgeons to perform the procedure with a handheld device providing greater precision
- contains a specialized tension device that helps precisely balance the knee, and
- eliminates the need for preoperative CT or MRI scans, thereby helping reduce cost and exposure to radiation.
It’s exciting to have the CORI surgical system here at New Ulm Medical Center as typically only large, metro hospitals have access to advanced surgical platforms,” said Jordan Ramage, DO, an orthopedic surgeon at New Ulm Medical Center. “CORI’s 3D mapping capabilities allow us to make personalized plans for our patients. It allows us to balance the knee before making any bone cuts. We can also perform more challenging knee procedures – such as revision knee replacements – with greater precision, which helps preserve more bone during surgery and allows patients to get back to their lives.”
Approximately 800,000 total knee arthroplasties and 450,000 total hip arthroplasties are performed annually in the United States. These procedures provide significant pain relief and restore function in patients with advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative joint conditions.1
Investment in the CORI system 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, Allina Health 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.
The new system will be used by the entire team of orthopedic surgeons at New Ulm Medical Center, including Dr. Jordan Ramage, Dr. Angela Honstad, and Dr. Phong Truong, in addition to offering traditional orthopedic surgical methods. To learn more about orthopedic services at New Ulm Medical Center, visit the Allina Health Joint Replacement website or the New Ulm Medical Center Surgery Center website. Call New Ulm Medical Center at 507-217-5011 to schedule an appointment.
1 Kopp-Mulberg FE, Naik H. Arthritis: Knee and Hip Arthroplasty. FP Essent. 2025 Jan; 548:13-17. PMID: 39836891.
About Allina Health
Allina Health is a nonprofit health care system serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin, dedicated to preventing and treating illness and improving the health of individuals, families, and communities. Through a network of more than 90 clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 13 retail pharmacies, specialty care centers, home care, and emergency medical transportation, Allina Health provides high-quality care from birth through end-of-life.
At the forefront of Allina Health’s mission are its Institutes, which offer nationally recognized experts and advanced care in key specialties:
- Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute – A leader in cardiovascular innovation, research, and care delivery through clinical trials, publications, and training 4,000+ providers annually, it is consistently rated ‘High Performing’ by U.S. News & World Report.
- Allina Health Cancer Institute – Providing comprehensive, personalized and innovative oncology care across the full cancer journey, delivered at ten locations – including its three largest hospitals which U.S. News & World Report consistently rates “High Performing” in multiple oncology specialties.
- Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute – Offering advanced neurological and spine care, including two nationally accredited stroke centers, innovative focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's and a chronic pain rehabilitation program – one of only two in Minnesota.
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