techniques. "I think you have to have some basis on the overall per-
formance of the total knee before operating with a robot," says Dr.
Miller. "If you've been used to the robot, and it breaks, how do you
complete the case? Hopefully surgeons [who use robotics] have had
enough education and experience that they should be able to do that."
Questions like this show where robotic assistance is in terms of its
growth and acceptance. The results over the past 10 years solidify the
value of robots in joint replacements, but they are still new to the
industry. Surgeons who adopted the technology at the outset have had
time to appreciate the difference between manual techniques and
robotic assistance. Moving forward, training younger surgeons to do
the same during their education on and off robotic platforms will be
essential. The benefits of augmenting surgical skill with robotic assis-
tance can and has been changing the landscape of orthopedic surgery.
"Robotics takes surgery out of the realm of art and moves it into
the realm of science," says Dr. Miller. "We can measure what we're
doing during surgery, instead of relying on feel. And over time, as
we gather more information from our results, we'll be able to fine-
tune the use of robotics to a greater degree."
Game-changing evolution
Robotics is directly impacting the demographics of the patients
who undergo total joint replacement surgery. In fact, a significant
element in the growth of robotic-assisted procedures is the rising
number of younger patients deciding to have their joints replaced.
With the success rate and reduced recovery time robotic platforms
are providing, a surgery that was previously a last resort for older
patients who had exhausted alternative treatments is now being
made available for patients in their 40s and even 30s — particularly
those who lead very active lifestyles.
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