ROBOTICS IN ORTHOPAEDICS
Robotics in Orthopaedics = using robotic-assisted systems to help surgeons plan and perform bone/joint surgeries with higher precision.
Where it’s used most:
Joint replacement – Knee and hip arthroplasty are the big ones
Systems: MAKO, ROSA Knee, NAVIO, CORI
Role: Guides bone cuts within 0.5mm, balances ligaments, matches the patient’s anatomy
Spine surgery – Pedicle screw placement
Systems: Mazor X, ExcelsiusGPS
Role: Plans screw trajectory using CT, then robot holds the exact path to reduce breach risk
Trauma – Fracture reduction and intramedullary nailing
Still emerging, but helps align bones with less radiation
Why surgeons use it:
Precision: Sub-millimeter accuracy vs. freehand
Personalization: Pre-op CT creates a 3D plan tailored to the patient
Data: Tracks ligament tension, range of motion, and alignment in real time
Consistency: Reduces outliers in implant positioning
What it doesn’t do: The robot doesn’t operate alone. The surgeon still makes all decisions and does the cutting — the robot is an “intelligent tool” that prevents deviations from the plan.
Impact on patients: Studies show lower blood loss, better implant alignment, and potentially faster recovery, but long-term outcomes vs. expert manual surgery are still being tracked.
In PH context: Still limited to major Manila/Cebu centers due to cost. Each robot is $1M+ plus disposables per case. PhilHealth doesn’t cover the robot fee yet, so it’s usually cash/hMO.
ZP