Parkside Hospital celebrates 200th orthopaedic operation using Mako robot

There were celebrations at Parkside Hospital this month to mark the 200th operation using the ground-breaking Stryker Mako robotic arm.

Parkside’s team has been utilising the Stryker Mako robotic arm since 2019 to help carry out joint replacement surgery. The Mako robot allows the team to undertake hip and knee surgeries using a state-of-the-art method which allows patients to get back to an active lifestyle quicker than more traditional surgery.

The pioneering technology was first used at Parkside Hospital in April 2019 with more than 200 surgeries now carried out. The milestone 200th operation was a partial left knee replacement, and was carried out with the trademark efficiency, accuracy and precision that the Mako system is renowned for.

Described as a game-changer in joint replacement surgery, the Mako robot works by using CT scans to generate an exact model of the patient’s knee or hip. That information is then fed back through the Mako robot allowing the surgeon to determine how much bone to remove in order to improve the accuracy and precision of the procedure.

If at any time the robotic cutting tool passes over an area of the joint that does not need removing it simply shuts off automatically, not starting again until it reaches parts mapped out for removal. This method reduces the risk of surgical errors and improves patient safety.

From self-employed people and senior managers to professional sportspeople, Parkside treats a range of patients using the Mako robot where fitness is a key part of their career or lifestyle and seek a quicker recovery and increased joint longevity.

Phil Bates, Hospital Director at Parkside Hospital, said:

“We’re delighted at Parkside to reach a landmark 200 operations using the pioneering Mako technology. We know the Mako robot is proven and trusted technology, and are pleased to see how many patients have benefitted from the precision that this state-of-the-art system provides.

Marking this milestone also gives us the opportunity to thank the brilliant staff working to deliver exceptional healthcare. The team are well-versed in the delivery of this procedure and – as always – deliver truly exceptional healthcare to patients. In many ways the Mako robot is the jewel in our crown, helping us to raise the bar in terms of the services we can offer.”

The Mako robot is just one aspect of the high-quality orthopaedic care offered by the specialist Parkside Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Centre.  The hospital is nationally-renowned for its expertise in orthopaedics and sport exercise medicine, providing the entire patient pathway under one roof.