Community

Robotic-assisted knee replacements now available at WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center

WEIRTON - The orthopedic surgery staff at WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center has a new tool in their kit to assist patients in need of knee replacement.

The hospital recently acquired the ROSA Knee System, providing the option for robotic-assisted total knee replacements, which officials say will provide more accuracy when conducting procedures.

"For the patient, it gives us a more accurate way of doing the knee," explained Dr. Stephen Alatis, who was the first to use the system at the hospital last week, with additional surgeries set for this week.

ROSA Knee is a surgeon-controlled robotic system capable of personalizing knee replacement surgery to each patient.

Alatis explained, as part of pre-operation procedures, the surgical area is mapped into the system, providing for more precise incisions and more accurate positioning and alignment of the implant. Real-time feedback can assist with any necessary adjustments.

"It’s registering that knee to that patient," he said, noting the accuracy can be within half a millimeter, and, as a result, has the potential for less loss of blood, less pain, and a faster recovery for the patient.

The surgical staff underwent training, both through surgical demonstrations with the system and hands-on exercises prior to the systems being put into use at Weirton.

Of the procedures performed to date, Alatis said patients were able to go home the following day and were doing well.

"It’s great technology," Alatis said, noting it has taken a while to get the system to the hospital. "Now that we have it, we’re going to use it to our best ability."

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)