Robots at the Cutting Edge of
Orthopaedic Surgery at Pindara
R
already been pre-planned with the addition of
balancing the joint intraoperatively to improve
patient satisfaction post-operatively.”
An estimated two million Australians suffer from
knee arthritis with more than 50,000 undergoing
knee replacement surgery every year. While
robots do not reduce operating times, many
patients find that they are up and going into their
rehab quickly. Pindara Private Hospital focuses
on “day of surgery” physiotherapy and patients
really appreciate this early attention to progress
mobilisation. Before a robot-assisted procedure,
surgeons map out where the bone cuts will be
made based on the patient’s anatomy, and the
robot ensures the cutting instrument does not stray
from the plan. A robot can provide millimetre and
degree adjustment accuracy to balance ligaments
to their natural tension and stability.
“I think there will be a gradually increasing uptake
in Robotic Technology,” Dr Letchford said.
“Medicine is inherently cautious and so I don’t
think you would describe a boom as you might
see in other vocations, but I certainly do think
we are beginning to see a significant appreciation
in the ability to obtain more direct data and fine
precision. This is reflected in improved patient
outcomes and joint survival already evident in
joint registry data for Partial Knee Arthroplasty.
“Ultimately, we should see a result where, with
the assistance of this technology, the results for
patients should become more uniform and what
can be achieved, for example on the Gold Coast,
should be exactly what is achieved in New York,
using the same cutting-edge technology.”
Dr Andrew Letchford has an interest in
arthroplasty (joint replacement), knee
reconstructions, sports injuries and acute
orthopaedic trauma. He provides Gold Coast
residents with compassionate, patient-specific
treatment that is completely suited to their
requirements. After gaining his medical degree
from Sydney University with First-Class Honours
in 2000, Dr Letchford conducted his orthopaedic
training in Queensland. In 2009, he founded
Pacific Orthopaedics.
Dr Andrew Letchford Orthopaedic Surgeon
Hip & Knee Arthroplasty: Sports & Trauma
Fellow.A.Ortho.FRACS Ortho MBBS (Hons 1st-Sydney)
B.Sc. (Hons 1st-Qld) Dip Ed.
CIME (Certified Independent Medical Examiner)
obotics are entering the operating theatre
to assist with orthopaedic surgery and
Pindara surgeons are at the forefront
of the new technology. While Robotic Surgical
Navigation is not yet widely available in the public
system, there are promising signs that the ground-breaking
technology is here to stay. Dr Andrew
Letchford, a hip and knee specialist, has performed
multiple joint replacements with robotic assistance
and is finding accurate results in the operating
theatre and positive long-term patient outcomes.
“Robotic joint replacement is now my procedure of
choice for hip replacement, knee replacement and
partial knee replacement surgery,” Dr Letchford said.
“My team at Pacific Orthopaedics is very efficient
in progressing the patient from consultation, pre-admission
preparation and progress to surgery.
An efficient process has been developed where
patients obtain their pre-op medical testing
physician review and preparatory CT scanning for
robotic navigation.
“At the time of surgery, it becomes simply a
matter of performing the procedure that has
Offers Robotic Technology Surgery
Suite 3c Level 4 Pacific Private Clinic, 123 Nerang Street Southport, Qld 4215
Telephone: 07 5527 1818 Fax: 07 5526 4788
Email: reception@pacificorthopaedic.com.au www.dr-andrew-letchford.com.au