Advances in Robotic Knee Surgery at Bronson Battle Creek

Bronson orthopedic surgeons are using a breakthrough robotic system to provide patients with the most advanced knee replacement and revision surgery available. The CORI™ Surgical System has been designed to reduce recovery time, improve outcomes and provide a more comfortable experience for patients.

CORI is a robotic system used at Bronson Battle Creek for partial and total knee replacements as well as knee revisions. Knee replacement surgery is often recommended for severe damage, chronic pain, stiffness or deformity of the knee joint. Knee revisions are done when a prior implant has failed, due to wear and tear over time.

Partial knee replacement is another effective treatment for knee pain and damage when it’s early to mid-stage. This procedure allows for the damaged area of the knee joint to be replaced while preserving the supportive tissue and ligaments that keep stability around the knee joint.

Are All Robotic Systems the Same?

There are several popular robotic systems that use different techniques, tools and approaches. They can be broadly broken down into image and imageless technology and their cutting mechanism.

Image vs. Imageless

Most image systems require imaging scans before surgery. CORI allows you to avoid the hassle of trips to get CT scans and x-rays on a worn-out knee and avoid unnecessary radiation.

Instead, Bronson orthopedic surgeons use 3D mapping at the time of the procedure to map out the patient’s unique knee anatomy. All of the information they need is at their fingertips. This method is more accurate which is critical when receiving an implant.

The most notable benefit of 3D mapping on the CORI system is its ability to assist in knee revisions. Since implants are typically metal, they become distorted on MRI and CT scans. Since the CORI system uses a map instead of images, the surgeon is able to get a clear depiction of the implant without any uncertainties.

Saws and Cutting Guides vs. Burrs

Some robotic systems use a guide attached to a robotic arm that shows the surgeon where to make cuts. Others have a cutting saw attached to the robotic arm that makes the cuts.

The CORI system used by Bronson orthopedic surgeons uses a hand-held smart tool attached to a burr that retracts if outside of the cutting area. This combined with the 3D mapping allows patients to keep more of their natural bone during a partial or total knee replacement. This leads to a quicker and smoother recovery.

When it comes to knee replacement surgery, accuracy is critical because if an implant is not positioned correctly, it may not work as well or last as long as it should.

What kind of implants are used with CORI?

Surgeons are able to choose implants from one of the widest selections of sizes available. This ensures that each patient gets the perfect fit for their body, reducing pain and recovery time while improving outcomes.

According to Smith + Nephew, the makers of CORI, the implants used are much more durable than traditional knee implant materials.
Although implants placed with robotic-assisted knee surgery are intended to operate with more precision, surgeons must be specially trained and experienced with robotic tools to perform the surgeries well.

Bronson's Experienced Surgeons

The orthopedic surgeons are pioneers of robotic-assisted surgery in southwest Michigan. Prior to introducing CORI, they successfully performed thousands of knee surgeries using robotics and are now leveraging this latest technology in order to further improve patient care and outcomes. Bronson Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Joseph Burkhardt is one of the first certified surgeons to use this technology and has since trained and certified many other physicians across the country for Smith + Nephew.

Currently, there are only a few surgeons in the country who are certified to perform knee revisions with CORI, and many of them have been trained by Dr. Burkhardt.

Learn More

Knee pain should not be ignored. To learn more about Bronson’s orthopedic and sports medicine providers and all the services they offer, visit bronsonhealth.com/ortho.