( WTNH) — Dr. Scott Stanat and Dr. William Cambridge discuss the benefits of MAKOPlasty surgery for hip and knee pain. There are large numbers of people with hip and knee pain whose quality of life can be drastically improved with this surgery, which can result in faster recovery times. MAKOPlasty robotic surgery is for hip replacement and knee resurfacing procedures, which are needed to improve quality of life for a large number of people, especially baby boomers.

Backus Hospital is the only hospital in Eastern Connecticut to offer MAKOplasty® Partial Knee Resurfacing and MAKOplasty® Total Hip Replacement procedures, performed using the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System.

The surgeon-controlled robotic arm enables surgeons to personalize partial knee and total hip arthroplasties to achieve optimal results at a level of accuracy previously unattainable with conventional surgery.

William Cambridge and Scott Stanat are orthopedic surgeons on the Backus Medical Staff that offer the procedure and are certified in its use.

The technology features a patient-specific visualization system and robotic arm technology that is integrated with surgical instruments. It assists surgeons in pre-planning and in treating each patient uniquely.

MAKOplasty Partial Knee Resurfacing is a treatment option for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis that has not yet progressed to all three compartments of the knee. It is less invasive than traditional total knee surgery. A pre-surgical plan is created based on a CT scan of the patient’s own knee, and the surgeon uses the robotic arm during surgery to resurface the diseased portion of the knee, sparing healthy bone and surrounding tissue for a more natural feeling knee. An implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again.

During MAKOplasty Total Hip Replacement surgery, RIO provides visualization of the joint and bio-mechanical data to guide the bone preparation and implant positioning to match the pre-surgical plan. After first preparing the femur or thighbone, the surgeon uses the robotic arm to accurately ream and shape the acetabulum socket in the hip, and then implant the cup at the correct depth and orientation. The surgeon then implants the femoral implant. MAKOplasty offers the confidence of more accurate cup placement and accurate leg length restoration.

Backus Hospital is offering a free community education session on April 28, from 6-8 p.m., in its main lobby conference rooms. Registration is required by calling 860-892-6900.