Southside Hospital Announces The Mako Robot Takes Hip And Knee Replacement Surgery To The Next Level

Press release from the Southside Hospital:

February 5 2021

As part of a continued investment in the latest surgical technology, South Shore University Hospital (SSUH) has acquired a Stryker Mako robotic surgical device to perform robotic-assisted joint replacement procedures.

The Mako is a robotic arm that surgeons interact with during hip and knee replacement operations. Patients have advanced imaging performed prior to their surgery and, with the aid of the Mako, surgeons can create a three dimensional reconstruction of the person’s anatomy that can then be combined with virtual trialing of the joint during surgery to allow more accurate tensioning of the ligaments around the joint to have a better and faster recovery.

“During surgery, information gathered by the Mako robot allows the surgeon to make precise alterations in the positioning of joint replacement implants in both the hip and knee, essentially customizing the joint replacement for each patient,” said Keith Reinhardt, MD, SSUH’s chief of the Institute for Joint Replacement.

“With this technology we can accurately restore a patient’s leg lengths after hip replacement, and during knee replacement we are able to correct more deformity with less damage to the soft tissues. Since we can better understand the exact orientation of the patient’s bone as we’re doing a joint replacement with robotics, we can more precisely replace the joint and at the same time reduce the risk of surgical complication.”

The Institute for Joint Replacement at SSUH is a dedicated unit that includes all private rooms complete with sleeper sofas for a patient’s caregiver, a space for physical therapy and state-of-the-art patient monitoring and other medical equipment.

“Patients who have their orthopedic surgeries at South Shore University Hospital will benefit from the latest, cutting-edge technology as well as our team’s expertise to get people back on their feet and return to the activities that they enjoy,” said Michael Nett, MD, SSUH’s chair of orthopedic surgery.

SSUH has been performing total joint replacement surgeries on patients who are able to leave the hospital on the same day for a few years. The addition of these machines is in line with SSUH’s commitment to surgical excellence and growth from a community into a tertiary hospital.

In addition to these orthopedic robotic platforms, SSUH has two da Vinci Xi robots that are utilized in cardiac, gynecologic, oncologic, urogynecologic, urologic, thoracic and general surgical procedures. SSUH, under its previous name of Southside Hospital, was recognized as a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) four years ago.

“South Shore University Hospital has been steadily adding more complex surgical procedures so that Suffolk County residents don’t have to travel far for this cutting-edge care,” said Donna Moravick, NP, SSUH’s executive director. “From our advanced heart surgery procedures to neurosurgery to orthopedics, we offer the latest medical treatments from premiere health experts in their respective fields.”

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South Shore University Hospital has a long history of providing top-noth care to its communities within Suffolk County. Recently, US News & World Report recognized the Bay Shore hospital as high performing in several specialities on its 2019-2020 Best Hospitals rankings, including orthopedics.

SSUH's orthopedics team is part of the Northwell Health Orthopaedic Institute, which consistently earns high marks. The institute is the first health system in the country to be named an SRC Network of Excellence in Robotic Surgery.

Several Northwell hospitals have also recieved the prestigious Joint Commission's Disease-Specific Care Certification for health care quality in knee and hip replacement surgery.

This press release was produced by the Southside Hospital. The views expressed are the author's own.