Technological Advancements Make Less Invasive Orthopedic Surgeries Possible
Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in
While this is not necessarily a new concept to sports medicine and orthopedics, technology has allowed these minimally invasive techniques and surgeries to advance over time. New technologies, including robots in the surgery rooms, enable surgeons to perform less invasive surgeries, such as disk replacement surgery and spinal fusion.
According to Dr. Stovall, MD, a Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine spine surgeon, there are plenty of misconceptions about state-of-the-art technology and methods. Dr. Stovall, who utilizes The ExcelsiusGPS™ robot to assist him with many spinal surgeries, notes, “a lot of people have different ideas of what robots are. The robot that rolls around takes orders and looks like an android or person; that is not the type of robot we use for surgeries. Robotic surgery technology is very different; it’s just a guidance tool. The surgeon still performs the surgery by hand, but the robot gives a 3D view to make the surgery more accurate and exact.”
The ExcelsiusGPS™ robot can be used to perform spinal surgeries to correct a deformity or to stabilize unstable spines. These surgeries often require placing instruments into the spine with the robot’s help to stabilize the area.
The robot uses image-guided technology; it acts as a three-dimensional guide that helps the doctors to plan where the instrumentation goes in the least invasive way and in with the safest approach. Once the patient’s medical images are imported into the ExcelsiusGPS™, the surgeon can accurately determine the size and placement of the spinal implants.
The desired outcomes of these minimally-invasive treatments are to perform more accurate surgeries with smaller incisions that minimize post-operative pain and promote quicker recovery for the patient after surgery.
Dr. Stovall says, “After these surgeries, many times, a patient can go home the same day. The overall recovery time is quicker, which is a big advantage. We want to help our patients get back to the activities they enjoy.”
Learn more about spinal surgeries involving the ExcelsiusGPS™ robot on the Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine website.
To offer robotic spine surgeries, Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine spine surgeons helped choose which Operating Room technologies would be most effective for improving spinal surgery outcomes. Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine surgeons were some of the first to use the ExcelsiusGPS™ robot in surgery after extensive training in the technology.
In addition to minimally invasive spinal surgery, robots can also be used for knee surgeries. The Robotic Joint Replacement Program at Lowcountry Outpatient Surgery Center merges the advanced Mako Robotic technology and a highly experienced, personalized care team to allow total joint replacement patients to return home the same day, vastly improving the patient experience.
“Many patients choose to live in discomfort to avoid lengthy knee surgery recovery and the risk of contracting an inpatient hospital infection,” explains Dr. Richard Zimlich, Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine’s orthopedic surgeon specializing in total joint replacement.
Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is the first practice to offer outpatient knee replacement surgery with the help of robotic-assisted surgeries for the knee. Understand the many advantages of using their advanced surgery method on the practice’s website.
Examples of other minimally invasive orthopedic treatments offered at Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine are ACL repair surgery with the BEAR Implant and a knee replacement that uses 3D printing.
Not everyone is a candidate for surgery in general, including minimally invasive surgery. Pain management techniques are an effective option for many Lowcountry Orthopaedics patients. “Thankfully, most patients afflicted by low back pain get better within a few weeks. For those that do not, nonsurgical techniques—sometimes involving injections or other interventions—are often employed to reduce pain and improve function,” explains Christopher Merrell, MD, interventional pain specialist.
Interested patients should schedule a consultation. A consultation with the physician includes X-Rays or an MRI to evaluate the issue, assess the patient history of symptoms, and correlate those symptoms with the studies they have performed to decide if patients are good candidates for surgery, minimally invasive procedures, or pain management therapies.
With in-house X-rays, an MRI machine, and diagnostic studies, Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is a one-stop-shop where patients can have a complete evaluation and treatment plan without being farmed out to multiple offices or centers. Call for more information or a same-day appointment to make an appointment at 843-797-5050. Book online with providers or request an appointment.