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Malcom Randall VA Medical Center Completes 9th Robot Assisted Joint Replacement

Robotic Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery
Dr. Vivek Jagadale, NF/SG Orthopedic Staff Physician, performs total knee replacement surgery on a Veteran while utilizing a Mako SmartRobotics System. SmartRobotics combines three key components which includes 3D CT-based planning, AccuStop haptic technology and insightful data analytics, into one platform that has shown better outcomes for total knee, total hip and partial knee patients.
By Ryan Jernegan

The North Florida / South Georgia Veterans Health System and Malcom Randall VA Medical Center completed its ninth robot assisted lower extremity joint replacement utilizing a MAKO Smart Robotics assisted surgery system, Aug. 18, 2023.

While robotic assisted surgery has been around for years, the implementation of its use at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center has further demonstrated the innovation and advancement provided to our Veterans. The innovative robotic technology allows surgeons to personalize total knee, partial knee and total hip replacement procedures to each Veteran.

The technology enables VA surgeons to more accurately cut and trim bones during joint replacements to within millimeters. This enhanced precision provides the Veteran a much more accurate joint replacement that delivers greater range of motion recovery. Additionally, NF/SG VHS Veterans have repeatedly expressed their happiness that they received the best surgery possible from their surgeon while utilizing the robotic assisted technology.

Speaking of recovery, the use of robotic assisted joint replacement reduces the length of a hospital stay, with some patients returning home the same day of surgery. Additionally, the use of this technology has demonstrated the potential for Veterans to experience less pain and also reduces the need for outpatient physical therapy.

“Robotic assisted joint replacement surgeries using the advanced Smart Robotics technology allow for the best possible care for the Veteran,” said Dr. Vivek Jagadale, NF/SG Orthopedic Staff Physician. “The goal is to give the surgeons the best available tool in the market to deliver the highest level of surgery for the Veterans, and an excellent opportunity for the Veterans to trust the implant, surgeon and the system for safer and satisfactory recovery.”

Dr. Jagadale, alongside Malcom Randall’s executive leadership team, have gone to great lengths to ensure that Malcom Randall VA Medical Center provides our Veterans the best possible care as outcomes drive everything we do – because Veterans, not us, are the ultimate judges of our success.

The capability of the NF/SG VHS to perform specialized procedures of this nature directly results in our Veterans receiving the highest quality of health care. The Veterans treated at Malcom Randall are directly impacted in a positive manner through the care, compassion and commitment of the trailblazers adhering to the VA’s I-CARE values.

Malcom Randall VA Medical Center’s Reconstructive Orthopedic staff will continue to strive to serve every Veteran as well as they have served us while delivering world-class healthcare utilizing the most up-to-date techniques and cutting-edge technology for all NF/SG Veterans.

For more information on the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, please visit https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/locations/malcom-randall-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-center/.

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