Almana Group of Hospitals and Zimmer Biomet partner to bring robotic-assisted total knee replacement technology to the Eastern Province
Ahmed Bin Abdulqader
Almana Group of Hospitals , the largest medical company and healthcare provider in the Eastern Province, has partnered with Zimmer Biomet, a global leader in innovative technological solutions, to bring robotic-assisted total knee replacement technology to the Eastern Province for improved surgical precision, reduced pain and faster patient recovery.
Total knee replacement surgery is a very common and effective treatment for patients suffering with knee arthritis. However, the success of an individual’s knee replacement surgery is closely linked to the fit and function of the new knee implant1. A new robotic surgical assistant called the ROSA Knee System is now being used at Almana Hospitals to help support surgeons to target better fit and function than ever before. Patients are now benefitting from precise and personalised knee replacement surgery with a robotic surgical assistant and as a result, are able to recover faster and achieve a greater degree of joint flexibility allowing them a quicker return to normal activity2.
Mr. Mana Almana, CEO at Almana Group of Hospitals said: “We are excited to announce our strategic partnership, ushering in a new era of advanced healthcare technology at Almana Group of Hospitals. The integration of this ground-breaking technology signifies our commitment to delivering unparalleled patient outcomes. By embracing this innovation, we are not just improving the quality of care; we are redefining the very satisfaction our patients experience with our services, setting a new standard for excellence in healthcare delivery.”
The partnership was formalized at the Arab Health Conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 30 January, 2024 through a signing ceremony and was attended by Almana’s leadership and Zimmer Biomet representatives.
“Empowering tomorrow’s healthcare today; Zimmer Biomet embarks on a transformative collaboration with Almana Group of Hospitals to integrate the state-of-the-art robotic technology, unveiling a future where innovation meets compassionate care that will elevate patient experience”, said Farah Hamdan, Zimmer Biomet General Manager, Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey.
Robotic-assisted knee surgery has been associated with reduced pain, lower usage of pain relief medication, fewer physiotherapy sessions and overall improved knee function following surgery2. Robotic surgery has also been linked to shorter hospital stays and lower rates of hospital readmission compared to traditional surgical techniques3,4. Implementing this technology at Almana will significantly improve patients’ outcomes in terms of quality of life and restoration of daily physical activity.
More about Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee System Technology
Greater accuracy than traditional methods5.
The ROSA Knee System was designed by surgeons for surgeons, bringing together advanced technologies to collect and analyse data before and during your surgery to assist in the planning and placement of your knee replacement. It informs your surgeon of unique details related to your knee that may affect your surgery, helping them understand how they can optimise their surgical plan specifically for you.
Knee replacement surgery using the ROSA Knee System is very similar to traditional surgery. The ROSA Knee system combines precise data and a robotic arm, with your surgeon’s skill and experience, to offer a surgery that results in an implant position more accurately placed than by traditional methods3. However, the robot does not perform the surgery, it assists surgeons with live data and guidance throughout the surgery, only moving if the surgeon tells it to.
How does ROSA Knee work?
The ROSA Knee System first uses a series of x-rays to create a 3D model of your knee. Based on your surgical needs, your surgeon will advise on a clinically proven knee implant system that is best suited to you. The surgeon will use their experience alongside the information from ROSA to plan specific details of your knee replacement prior to your surgery. During surgery, ROSA uses a camera and sensor to know exactly where your knee is – it can detect even the smallest movements in real-time. Providing live feedback throughout surgery via a digital display and with the help of a robotic guiding arm, ROSA helps your surgeon precisely place the implant according to their plan.
References:
- Berend ME, Ritter MA, Meding JB, Faris PM, Keating EM, Redelman R, et al. Tibial component failure mechanisms in total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004(428):26-34.
2.Kayani B, Konan S, Tahmassebi J, Pietrzak JRT, Haddad FS. Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved early functional recovery and reduced time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study. Bone Joint J. 2018;100-B(7):930-7.
- Naziri Q, Cusson BC, Chaudhri M, Shah NV, Sastry A. Making the transition from traditional to robotic-arm assisted TKA: What to expect? A single surgeon comparative-analysis of the first-40 consecutive cases. J Orthop. 2019;16(4):364-8.
- Cool CL, Jacofsky DJ, Seeger KA, Sodhi N, Mont MA. A 90-day episode-of-care cost analysis of robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty. J Comp Eff Res. 2019;8(5):327-36
- Parratte, S., et al. Accuracy of New Robotically-assisted Technique for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cadaveric Study. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 34(11): 2799-2803, 2019.
