Partial knee replacement is becoming safer with the first use of the innovative VELYS™ Robotic Technology in Europe. This system provides surgeons with precise 3D information and simplifies complex manipulations, which reduces complications and speeds up the recovery process.
The creator of this innovation in orthopedic surgery is Johnson & Johnson. It has used its VELYS™ Robotic System for partial knee replacement (Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA)) for the first time in Europe.
The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Technology helps surgeons perform knee replacement surgeries with maximum accuracy. However, it is not a fully autonomous robot that performs the surgery itself. It is a “smart assistant” that provides the surgeon with detailed information about the procedure’s progress.
This robotic system works exclusively with the SIGMA® HP partial knee implant and INTUITION™ instruments. This combination has proven trustworthy for over 15 years.
While VELYS has been successfully used in total knee replacement surgeries, the technology has now been refined. Unlike traditional methods, the VELYS Robotic System ensures precise implant placement and bone resections without the need for a pre-operative CT scan.
This innovation aims to solve the difficulties of partial knee surgeries, specifically by ensuring better visibility and precise work in small areas.
Why is this achievement so significant?
Sarah Müller, EMEA Vice President of Orthopedics at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, explains that with the rise in osteoarthritis cases in Europe, more patients require high-tech medical solutions. Therefore, the accuracy of robotic technology, combined with proven implants, makes the surgical outcomes more promising.
Partial knee replacement is much more effective and economically advantageous than total knee surgery. However, due to technical complexity, this method was not frequently used. This is where the VELYS robotic technology assists surgeons by providing:
- Real-time intraoperative information delivery.
- 3D visualization.
- Improved instrument balancing capabilities.
Dr. Peter-Jan Vandekerckhove, who first used this system for partial knee arthroplasty (UKA) in Belgium, enthusiastically notes: “This innovative technology increases the accuracy of the surgery and helps surgeons manage it better. This is a significant step forward in knee arthroplasty that yields much better results for patients.”
Johnson & Johnson’s robotic technology sets new standards in knee endoprosthetics surgery. Soon, such a high-tech approach will become the best way to perform knee replacement.
