When you refer a patient for arthroplasty, you’re not just choosing a surgical team. You’re choosing a partner who shares your commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes.  

For many patients, same-day discharge following a joint replacement procedure is recommended and expected, thanks to care team coordination, greater efficiencies in perioperative protocols and post-surgery rehabilitation, and advances in robotic-assisted surgical systems—including systems designed specifically for joint replacements. 

A robotic-assisted approach offers several advantages: 

• Greater planning and precision. With advanced three-dimensional CT-guided registration or intraoperative surface-mapping, our surgeons provide personalized alignment strategies that improve the accuracy and precision of implant positioning, allow preservation of a patient’s native ligaments, requires less bone cuts, and provides optimal balancing. This leads to optimal joint kinematics, improved joint function, a more natural feeling joint, and fewer complications. 

• Minimally invasive. Less soft tissue injury, releases, and dissection means less pain—and fewer pain medications—for patients. It also means a much shorter hospitalization—in fact, 85% of our joint replacement patients return home the same day. 

State-of-the-art robotic platforms  

At UI Health Care, we integrate robotic-assisted technology with evidence-based practices to help patients regain mobility and get back to their lives sooner. And with hundreds of arthroplasty procedures performed each year, our team brings both technical expertise and extensive experience to every case.  

Our team currently uses several robotic systems for total joint replacement surgery, each offering unique features that cater to different surgical preferences and patient needs. These platforms include the Mako (Stryker), ROSA (Zimmer), and VELYS (DePuy).  

While all are designed to assist with hip and knee replacements, they differ in how they map and guide the procedure. For example, the Mako system relies on preoperative CT imaging to create a detailed 3D model of the joint, allowing for highly customized planning and precise implant placement. ROSA and VELYS are imageless systems, using intraoperative surface-mapping to guide the procedure without the need for preoperative scans.  

Who could benefit from robotic-assisted arthroplasty?  

While robotic-assisted surgery can benefit nearly any patient, it is especially valuable for those with complex anatomy, such as individuals with retained hardware, prior trauma, dysplasia, or spinal stiffness. It also offers advantages for younger or more active patients who may benefit from more durable, biologically fixed implants, and for those undergoing partial knee replacements, where precision is critical. 

“Using robotics can help optimize implant positioning, preserve bone, and reduce soft tissue disruption, which can lead to less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and a more natural-feeling joint,” says orthopedic surgeon Dallas Vanorny, MD, PhD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. “These factors can contribute to improved outcomes and longer-lasting results for patients.” 

While robotic-assisted surgery offers many benefits, not every joint replacement is performed with these systems. Our surgeons will select the approach that best fits each patient’s unique anatomy, goals, and clinical needs. Our focus is always on achieving the greatest outcomes and helping your patients get back to doing what they love. 

Your trusted partner in joint replacement care 

We maintain a collaborative, consultative approach to patient care that keeps you informed and involved in your patient’s arthroplasty procedure. When you refer to us, you’re partnering with a team that’s committed to using the best tools available to make a real difference in your patients’ lives. 

From the initial consultation through recovery, we work closely with you to ensure seamless, coordinated care for your patients. You’ll receive timely updates, have access to clinical documentation, and can reach out at any time to discuss treatment plans or patient progress. 

Referring a patient is easy. Epic users can send referrals through Care Everywhere, while providers on other platforms can use UI CareLink for secure, real-time access to patient updates. You can also fax or mail referral orders. There is no need to have all the information or imaging up front. Just send what you have, and we’ll take it from there. For second opinions or complex cases, we’re happy to consult directly.  

With UI Health Care’s specialized expertise, advanced surgical technology, and your collaborative partnership, we can deliver the exceptional care your patients deserve.