Augusta Health surgeons have a new tool for patients undergoing knee replacements

Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. G. Ryan Rieser with Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine standing by Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee System at Augusta Health.
Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. G. Ryan Rieser with Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine standing by Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee System at Augusta Health.

FISHERSVILLE — Total joint replacement is one of the most performed elective surgical procedures in the U.S. Augusta Health surgeons now have a new tool for patients undergoing knee replacements, according to a press release from the hospital system.

In November, Augusta Health was awarded the Advanced Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from DNV, an independent expert in assurance and risk management, and has now expanded robotic-assisted surgery capabilities to include total joint replacement, the release said.

“This cutting-edge robotic tool is used to assist the surgeon in creating an ideal individualized surgical planwith precision,” said Vickie Taylor, Augusta Health assistant chief nursing officer. “We are thrilled to have this technology at Augusta Health, as clinical evidence demonstrates reduced postoperative pain, decreased length of stay, and better physical function at 3 and 12 months.”

Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. G. Ryan Rieser with Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine will lead the use of Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee System at Augusta Health.

This system combines robotic technology with industry-leading knee implants to help surgeons personalize surgical procedures for their patients. ROSA Knee is a robotically assisted surgical system designed to help perform total knee replacement surgery with more precision. It includes features to assist with bone resections and assess soft tissue state to facilitate implant positioning intra-operatively, the release said.

Research shows robotic surgery assists with complex decision-making. It enables surgeons to use computer and software technology to control and move surgical instruments, allowing for precision and flexibility during procedures.

“For everyone involved — surgeons, medical staff, and, most importantly, patients — robotically assisted surgery has the potential to offer a number of key benefits and advantages,” said Rieser. “We know the decision to have a joint replacement is often difficult for patients to make, and we believe these robotically assisted technologies have the potential to make it an easier one moving forward.”

With this technology, patients will potentially have smaller incisions with reduced scarring and minimal blood loss, less post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, and recovery, leading to a quicker return to daily activities, the release said.

Rieser’s robotic candidates have excelled in their recovery and have followed the discharge and recovery plan. For more information on how patients may benefit from using ROSA Knee for total knee replacement, visit www.augustahealth.com/service/orthopedics/robotics.

Dr. Ryan Rieser is an adult reconstruction (hip and knee replacement) orthopedic surgeon serving the Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine community. Rieser is American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) board certified in orthopedic surgery. As an orthopedic surgeon, Rieser is dedicated to his patient’s entire joint replacement experience, including the preliminary education before surgery, minimizing pain around the time of surgery, and getting patients up and moving after the surgery so they may return to living their life as quickly as possible. To contact Rieser, visit https://shenandoahvalleyorthopedics.com/dr-g-ryan-rieser.

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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Knee replacements at Augusta Health include robotic-assisted surgery