Newswise — Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center is the first hospital in New Jersey and the first in the northeastern United States to perform total knee-replacement surgery utilizing the Zimmer Biomet’s Knee Robot called the Robotic Surgical Assistant or ROSA.
“We are very excited to be the first center in New Jersey to pioneer the use of this innovative technology for robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center. “The orthopedic team at Hackensack University Medical Center continues to make advancements in orthopedic care, furthering our mission to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.”
Harlan Levine, M.D. and Gregg Klein, M.D., are orthopedic surgeons at Hackensack University Medical Center and two of the developers of the ROSA Knee technology. On April 29 and 30, Drs. Levine and Klein successfully performed New Jersey’s first cases of robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty using the Zimmer Biomet ROSA Knee robot. Lydia Liebchen, a 60-year-old resident of Bergenfield, suffered from osteoarthritis in both knees. A few years ago, Lydia’s right knee was replaced. This time, Dr. Levine used the ROSA Knee Robot to replace her left knee.
“I have osteoarthritis, so it has been bone on bone for a few years. I knew I needed to have my left knee replaced. I was running at a level 10 pain-wise every day.”
Hackensack University Medical Center is one of three centers in the country utilizing the Zimmer Biomet Knee Robot.
“Surgeons at Hackensack University Medical Center are among the first of only a dozen surgeons in the world to use ROSA Knee,” said Michael A. Kelly, M.D., chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center. “This technology is expected to revolutionize the treatment of patients suffering from degenerative knee diseases such as osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.”
Zimmer Biomet’s new robotic knee system has been developed to assist surgeons in optimizing their accuracy and efficiency when planning and performing total knee replacement procedures. The technology allows a personalized surgical plan to be formulated by thoroughly reviewing each patient’s anatomy prior to surgery. Based on 2D pre-operative X-rays, a very accurate 3D virtual image of the knee is produced and loaded into the computer. At the start of surgery, the surgeon is able to assess the status of the bones and soft tissues of the knee through the robotic interface. The surgeon then utilizes the program’s sophisticated software to formulate a precise surgical plan which, with guidance from the robotic arm, can be confidently and accurately executed during the procedure.
“We are honored to be the first center in New Jersey and the tristate area to utilize this state-of-the-art technology,” said Dr. Levine. “This is a very powerful tool which helps us to ensure that the areas where we make certain bone cuts is perfectly precise so that the implants are placed in just the right position to optimize the patient’s total knee replacement.”
“There are some very unique features to this technology, which offer a real advantage for patients in providing a more precise total knee replacement,” said Dr. Klein. “This device does not require the use of a CT scan, rather regular X-rays can be used to create a three dimensional model of the patient’s knee. The robot provides a more personalized implant placement, to produce a more natural feeling knee and may even lessen the chance of additional surgery. This may also lead to a quicker and easier recovery. “
Lydia says when she learned from Dr. Levine that her knee replacement would be performed using new state-of-the-art technology, she was thrilled.
“It’s exciting when something new comes along, and I’m proud to be a part of this,” said Lydia, who is employed as a corporate chef and is on her feet a lot. “If it can cut recovery time and reduce pain why not? I am excited to be among the first patients in New Jersey to have undergone this innovative procedure.”
A total knee replacement is usually considered when the surfaces on both sides of the bones, as well as the underside of the patella, are significantly damaged. In total knee replacement surgery, the surface of the thighbone (femur) is replaced with a contoured metal component designed to fit the curve of a patient’s bone. The surface of the shinbone (tibia) is typically replaced with a flat metal component and a smooth plastic component that serves as cartilage. The undersurface of the kneecap may also be replaced with an implant made of plastic, or a combination of metal and plastic.
About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care, which is comprised of 34,100 team members and more than 6,500 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as one of the top two hospitals in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-19 Best Hospital rankings. It was also named one of the top five New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2018. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth for the sixth consecutive year, and received 25 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its sixth consecutive designation in 2019. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to THE NORTHERN TRUST PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org
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