SHOULDER
For decades, orthopedic surgery has been driven by one goal: helping patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and return to the activities they love. While advances in implant design and surgical techniques have dramatically improved outcomes, one of the most significant developments in modern orthopedics has been the integration of robotic-assisted technology into joint replacement surgery.
At Ortho Rhode Island, innovation has always been central to our mission. After pioneering robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement in Rhode Island, we are proud to continue leading the way by becoming the first practice in Rhode Island to offer Stryker's Mako SmartRobotics™ technology for reverse shoulder replacement at the Ortho RI Surgery Center in Warwick.
From Mechanical Instruments to Intelligent Robotics
Joint replacement surgery has evolved tremendously over the past half-century.
In the early years, surgeons relied solely on traditional instruments and their extensive experience to position implants. While these procedures produced excellent results, every patient's anatomy is unique, and even small variations in implant positioning can influence long-term function and implant longevity.
The introduction of computer navigation provided surgeons with additional information during surgery. The next major leap came with robotic-assisted technology, combining advanced imaging, three-dimensional surgical planning, and real-time intraoperative guidance to help surgeons execute a personalized surgical plan with exceptional precision.
It is important to understand that robotic-assisted surgery does not replace the surgeon. The orthopedic surgeon remains in complete control throughout the operation. Instead, the robotic platform serves as a highly sophisticated surgical tool that enhances precision and consistency while helping the surgeon carry out the procedure exactly as planned.
Why Precision Matters in Shoulder Replacement
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, allowing an incredible range of motion. That mobility also makes shoulder replacement technically demanding.
In reverse shoulder replacement, accurate positioning of the glenoid (socket) component is particularly important. Small differences in implant placement can affect shoulder mechanics, implant stability, range of motion, and long-term durability.
Historically, surgeons relied on two-dimensional imaging and intraoperative judgment to guide implant positioning. Today, advanced robotic technology allows us to create an individualized surgical plan before entering the operating room.
How Mako Shoulder Technology Works
The Stryker Mako Shoulder platform integrates several advanced technologies into one seamless workflow.
Prior to surgery, a CT scan is used to generate a detailed three-dimensional model of the patient's shoulder. Using Blueprint® planning software, the surgeon evaluates bone anatomy, bone loss, deformity, and implant positioning while virtually performing the procedure before the actual operation.
During surgery, the robotic system provides real-time guidance while the surgeon prepares the glenoid. Mako's AccuStop™ haptic technology creates a virtual boundary that helps the surgeon stay precisely within the planned surgical area, allowing highly accurate preparation of the bone for implant placement.
The result is a procedure that combines the surgeon's expertise with sophisticated robotic guidance tailored specifically to each patient's anatomy.
What This Means for Patients
While every patient is different and individual results vary, robotic-assisted shoulder replacement offers several potential advantages:
· Personalized surgical planning based on each patient's unique anatomy
· Highly accurate implant positioning
· Improved reproducibility from case to case
· Enhanced ability to address complex deformities
· Increased surgeon confidence in challenging anatomy
· Potential for improved implant longevity and function through more precise execution of the surgical plan
Although long-term clinical data for robotic-assisted shoulder replacement continue to evolve, early studies have demonstrated improved accuracy of glenoid preparation and implant positioning compared with conventional instrumentation.
Continuing a Tradition of Innovation
Robotic surgery is not new to Ortho Rhode Island.
Our physicians have been leaders in robotic-assisted joint replacement for more than 15 years. In fact, Dr. Robert Marchand performed New England's first Mako robotic-assisted joint replacement in 2010 and has since completed thousands of robotic procedures while helping educate orthopedic surgeons throughout the world. (Ortho Rhode Island)
Today, our orthopedic surgeons continue that tradition by utilizing robotic technology for hip, knee, and now shoulder replacement when clinically appropriate.
The addition of Mako Shoulder represents another milestone in our commitment to bringing the most advanced orthopedic care to patients throughout Rhode Island and southeastern New England.
Looking Ahead
Robotic-assisted surgery represents more than new technology—it reflects the future of personalized orthopedic care.
As imaging, implant design, artificial intelligence, and robotics continue to evolve, orthopedic surgeons will have increasingly sophisticated tools to individualize treatment while maintaining the highest standards of surgical excellence.
At Ortho Rhode Island, we remain committed to evaluating new technologies through the lens of one simple question:
Will this help our patients achieve better outcomes?
The introduction of Mako Shoulder at the Ortho RI Surgery Center is another example of that commitment. By combining experienced fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons with one of the nation's most advanced robotic platforms, we continue to provide patients with innovative, evidence-based care designed to restore function, relieve pain, and help them return to the lives they enjoy.
