AI robot surgically replaces two woman’s knee joints

Ms. Hong, 64 years old, had two knee joints damaged for decades. Now she can walk normally thanks to the doctor using an AI robot to replace both joints.

Ms. Hong treated knee osteoarthritis with many methods such as joint injections, taking oriental and western medicine, and applying herbal compresses, but the pain became more and more difficult, making it difficult to walk. X-ray results at Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7 showed that her two knee joints were severely degenerated, the cartilage layer was almost gone, the two ends of the bones collided with each other every time she moved, the joints were deformed due to the prolonged condition, changing her gait.

MSc.BSc.CKI Truong Huu Bao, Head of the Orthopedics Department, said that if she does not have surgery soon, Ms. Hong is at high risk of losing the ability to walk, move, and damage liver and kidney function due to overuse of painkillers. However, if the osteotomy position, joint placement is incorrect or the artificial joint size is not chosen appropriately, it can lead to serious complications such as joint loosening, post-operative dislocation, prolonged pain… To overcome these problems and help the patient move more naturally and flexibly after surgery, Ms. Hong had the doctor replace both artificial knee joints with the support of the Cuvis-Joint AI robot.

Specialized software integrated into the robot helps doctors analyze bone morphology and each patient’s joint anatomy parameters based on 3D CT images. From there, the doctor builds a surgical plan with bone cutting location, slice thickness, cutting direction and joint placement, limb axis, soft tissue balance… appropriately.

Based on the approved plan, the Cuvis-Joint robot proactively cuts bones with millimeter precision, avoiding the risk of damaging blood vessels, nerves, ligaments and other soft tissues. Healed bones are maximally preserved, which is especially important for the elderly when bone quality has declined.

The doctor also uses a tourniquet-free technique (without tightening the limb) to help blood circulate more smoothly. Thanks to that, after surgery, the patient has less pain and recovers faster, reducing the risk of thrombosis. The quadriceps muscle is not compressed, helping the patient achieve better joint range of motion in the first days after surgery.

Ms. Hong had her left knee replaced first and was discharged after two days. Less than three months later, his health recovered well and he was able to move freely. The patient returned to have the remaining knee replaced.

After two surgeries, her legs can walk more smoothly and steadier than before. With an individually designed rehabilitation exercise program, the doctor predicts that after 2-4 weeks, the patient will be able to walk and do normal activities.

According to Dr. Bao, when conservative treatments are no longer effective, people with severe osteoarthritis should have surgery as soon as possible. Knee replacement surgery currently has a high success rate with the support of modern equipment.