Chicago Center for Orthopedics and Robotic-Assisted Surgery Opens

The Chicago Center for Orthopedics & Robotic-Assisted Surgery (CCOR), located at 4700 N. Marine Drive, opened its doors on the city’s North Side this month bringing together experienced, world-class surgeons and state-of-the-art technology. Patients seeking joint replacement treatment and wanting to quickly return to a pain-free and active lifestyle are the priority.

Henry Finn, MD, Medical Director of CCOR and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Chicago, is using his nearly four decades of experience in leading a team of multi-disciplinary specialists to provide the innovative and high-quality orthopedic care his patients have come to expect.

“Our patients today are asking for robotic-assisted surgery because it allows for smaller incisions and less soft tissue injuries, which assists in pain reduction and rapid recovery, getting patients up and moving as quickly as possible after surgery,” noted Dr. Finn, who is internationally recognized for his skill in hip and knee replacement surgery. “We want to provide the benefits of this advancement in orthopedics for patients who are best suited for this surgery.” Patients qualify for robotic-assisted, same-day knee or hip replacement surgery based on their age, medical conditions, overall health, home support, motivation, and ability to receive home health therapy.

Dr. Finn performed the first hand-held robotics-assisted total knee replacement in Illinois using the new CORI Surgical System from global medical device maker, Smith+Nephew. "This system enables me to provide my patients with the ultimate knee replacement experience,” Dr. Finn said. “It literally puts robotic assistance in the palm of my hand, giving me another level of precision during surgery. It becomes an extension of my own hand. It feels as though I am using a paintbrush that knows how to paint within the lines yet not beyond the lines when removing osteoarthritis and smoothing the surface of the bone.”

CORI, which is short for Core of Real Intelligence, is the most advanced and efficient hand-held robotic solution for knee replacement in the world. The system does not require the costly and time-consuming pre-operative CT-scans and/or MRIs needed by other robotic and navigation systems. Instead, the system allows surgeons to create a customized 3D digital model of each patient’s knee that is used to determine where the implant should be placed to provide the optimal function to the patient and the potential for a faster recovery.[i]

“The CORI robotic-assisted surgery incorporates computer navigation principles for correct placement of implants and proper soft tissue balancing for total and partial knee replacements based on each patient’s unique anatomy,” explained Yasser Farid, MD, PhD, surgeon at CCOR and Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopaedics at University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Farid, who has more than 25 years of experience in orthopedics, also has started performing partial and total knee replacements using the new technology. “Final placement of the implant is critical to providing both the function and longevity that today’s patients demand.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Farid has focused on optimizing outcomes and patient satisfaction after hip and knee replacement. Regarding CORI robotic-assisted surgery, he added, “These advancements should have both surgeons and patients feeling confident about the current and future state of knee replacement surgery, especially with this technology in the hands of an experienced surgeon, which will bring optimal results.”

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 790,000 knee replacements are performed each year in the United States. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates knee replacement surgeries are expected to increase a staggering 180% between now and 2030.

Drs. Farid and Finn performed another first in Illinois, the first series of surgeries involving the Real Intelligence-Hip (RI.HIP) NAVIGATION system. “RI.HIP assists in proper placement of hip implants, as well as leg length evaluation without the use of fluoroscopic x-ray,” Dr. Finn explained. “This saves time, minimizes risk of infection and eliminates radiation exposure, which means improved patient outcomes as well as safety, less pain and rapid recovery.”

Approximately 450,000 total hip replacements are performed each year across America. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 32.5 million adults in the U.S. today have osteoarthritis, which eventually might lead to knee and hip surgical intervention.

Learn more about the Chicago Center for Orthopedics and Robotic-Assisted Surgery by visiting ChicagoOrthoRobotics.com or call (833) 288-4172.

[i] Mayman DJ, Patel AR, Carroll KM. Hospital Related Clinical and Economic Outcomes of a Bicruciate Knee System in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients. Poster presented at: ISPOR Symposium; May 19-23, 2018; Baltimore, Maryland, USA.