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The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates knee replacement surgeries are expected to increase a staggering 180% between now and 2030 in the United States. The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is to ease the pain caused by osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that affects about 50% of people over the age of 65.

In the field of joint replacement surgery, significant advancements are being made in an attempt to improve patient experience and outcomes. Robotic-assisted procedures and the use of computer navigation are at the forefront of this trend.

Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center (EMRMC) is now offering the ultimate knee replacement experience with robotic-assisted technology that tailors the surgery to each patient with the goal of optimizing outcomes and quality of life.

“We are excited that the surgeons on the medical staff have received the highly-skilled training that enables them to provide robotic-assisted knee and hip replacement surgeries,” said Daniel McKay, president and chief executive officer of Ephraim McDowell Health. “This new technology greatly enhances the surgical experience for our joint replacement surgery patients.”

The new technology works more closely with an individual patient’s anatomy to provide digital precision in knee replacement. As a result, surgeons can optimize component positioning and help improve functional outcomes allowing patients to get back to activities they enjoy.

“This new technology is potentially a major improvement for patients,” said Jeremy Tarter, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Danville Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, who is using the technology for both knee replacement as well as hip replacement surgeries. “This technology can help patients recover faster and provide other benefits that may encourage patients not to delay having joint replacement surgery.”

A recent survey conducted by global implant maker Smith+Nephew and Kantar showed procedure fears and recovery time were the biggest concerns patients had about moving forward with knee replacement surgery, but they expressed near unanimous interest in discussing robotics-assisted knee surgery with their physician.

Zack Unger, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon at Danville Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, stated, “This is an exciting time for our community and the patients we serve.  I am happy that we can be leaders in the state offering this technology to our patients.”  He adds, “The added precision with this technology allows us to continue to build upon the excellent orthopaedic care we provide here in Danville.”