Three takeaways:
1. Before Lafayette General received its Mako robot about seven years ago, Dr. Yerger heard about the technology from a colleague in Georgia. He observed several surgeries using the device.
2. Dr. Yerger said the device improves precision, accuracy and patients’ range of motion, while reducing blood loss, length of stay and pain. “Less time in the hospital means a decreased cost to the patient,” he told The Advocate. “That’s all good for healthcare across the board.”
3. The Mako Robotic Arm isn’t used for revisions, which are more complex, according to Dr. Yerger. However, he said “it’s more than likely” that robotics will be used for revisions at some point in the future.
“Fifteen years ago, we did not see robotics as a tool for primary joint replacements, so I do think it will become a larger part of our work,” he said.
More articles on robotics:
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