PLAN AHEAD FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
When it comes to joint replacement surgery, precision is key to making a new joint feel and operate like the real thing.
And robots are one of the most powerful tools surgeons have when approaching joint replacement surgery, said Louis Okafor, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Premier Orthopedics.
Dr. Okafor is among several surgeons at Premier Orthopedics who use the Mako SmartRobotics™ and Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA® Knee technologies to create a personalized surgery plan before the patient even enters the operating room. The use of these robots often means less pain, less need for opiate analgesics, less need for inpatient physical therapy, and shorter hospital stays.
“Anyone who is eligible for joint replacement surgery is a candidate for robotic-assisted surgery,” said Okafor, who practices with Premier Physician Network. “However, where robotic-assisted surgery really shines, is for those patients who might have a case that is more complex or involves a deformity.”
Most robotic-assisted surgeries are done by using imaging taken before surgery to help surgeons during the procedure. Mako SmartRobotics™ is a device used for hip and knee replacements that uses 3D CT-based planning software to map out a person’s anatomy prior to surgery. The ROSA® Knee also uses pre-operative imaging to help surgeons in their decision-making process of where to make bone resections and where to locate the new replacement during surgery.
“The robot itself is a tool just like any other surgical instrument,” Okafor said. “It still requires the training, skill set, and decision-making that only a surgeon can provide. But the difference is that the robot gives the surgeon direct feedback and says, ‘This placement is outside parameters.’ Whereas you may not necessarily get that feedback without the robot.”
In traditional joint replacement surgery, surgeons use their experience and tools to navigate the procedure. In a knee replacement, for instance, a surgeon places a cap on the femur or thighbone by using rods and alignment guides along normal anatomic or bony parts. A metal rod is then used to help align a new joint along a person’s anatomy. Accuracy and precision in joint replacement surgery not only affect a person’s quality of life, but also help to extend the life of the implant.
Joint replacement surgeries have grown in number and success over the years. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the incidence of joint replacement procedures is high, with more than 1 million total hip and total knee replacement procedures performed each year in the United States.
The knee is the largest joint in the body and is required to perform most activities in everyday life, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Knee replacements have become much more common as the population ages and stays more active. The wear and tear on the knee often leads to osteoarthritis, a condition in which the smooth, protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.
Time, experience and advanced tools have made joint replacement surgery one of the most successful elective surgeries for returning quality of life to individuals. Anyone who suffers joint pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis shouldn’t wait long before considering it, Okafor said.
For more information about robotic-assisted joint surgery or to schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network physician near you, visit PremierHealth.com/MakeAnAppointment.
Craig Wright, creator of the blockbuster drama “Greenleaf,” also is behind this new series, which revolves around headstrong attorney Delilah Connolly (Maahra Hill, “black-ish”), who left a powerful position with a law firm a decade ago to raise her two children, Maia and Marcus (Kelly Jacobs, Braelyn Rankins). Now, however, Delilah’s ready to get back into court, taking cases the big firms ignore, often going up against the privileged and the powerful. Jill Marie Jones, Susan Heyward and Ozioma Akagha also are featured.
In the club lounge, Unlucky Louie was grumbling about the high cost of everything.
“Money isn’t the key to happiness,” I observed.
“If I had the money,” Louie said, “I could have a key made.”
Louie might make money in his penny game if he knew the key to good dummy play: Count your winners. At six spades, Louie took the ace of hearts, led a trump to his ace and returned a diamond to dummy’s queen. East won and led a trump.
Louie won, took the ace of diamonds and ruffed a diamond with the king of trumps. When East discarded, Louie was sunk. He could pitch a diamond on the king of hearts but still had a diamond loser.
Louie succeeds if he keys on possible winners. He has six trumps, two hearts, one diamond — and three clubs. At Trick Two, Louie takes the king of hearts to discard his ace of clubs. He next leads the queen of clubs and discards a diamond.
West wins, but Louie ruffs the heart return, draws trumps ending in dummy and takes his club winners.
DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ K32 ♥ AK74
◆ Q2 ♣ Q J 10 9. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?
ANSWER: At your second turn as responder, you can often place the contract
— or suggest a contract by limiting your strength. Here, you have balanced pattern, stoppers in clubs and enough strength for game (but not enough to try for slam). Bid 3NT. A bid of 2NT would not be forcing.