State-of-the-art robotic technology arrives in Bay

Patients from across the Fraser Coast region now have access to cutting-edge robotic technology for hip and knee replacement surgery following the arrival of the first Mako robot at St Stephen’s Hospital in Hervey Bay. 

The Mako orthopaedic robot is designed to improve outcomes for patients requiring total or partial hip or knee replacement surgery by assisting orthopaedic surgeons to deliver new levels of accuracy and precision.

After experiencing significant and prolonged pain as a result of knee degeneration caused by arthritis, Hervey Bay resident, Doug McClean, became one of the first to benefit from the new technology when he underwent bilateral knee replacement surgery with Dr Navi Bali in June 2023. 

“The pain in my right knee in particular was very bad, I had become limited in what I could do. So, I was delighted to hear about the new robot and was very willing to get on with the surgery,” Doug said. 

“Within three weeks after the surgery, I was able to walk around unaided,” he said.

St Stephen’s Hospital orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Navi Bali, said the robotic technology assists surgeons to deliver greater accuracy and better outcomes for patients. 

“In joint replacement surgery, placement of the implant is crucial. The ultimate goal is to ensure the implant is sitting in the right position, because we know that gives patients greater satisfaction and the implants last longer as well,” Dr Bali explained. 

“With the Mako robot, surgery starts with a pre-operative CT scan. This gives the patient a personalised three-dimensional virtual model from which we can see every angle of the anatomy and we can place the implant in the perfect position. 

“Once we’re operating, the robot helps to guide placement of the implant to within 1 millimetre and 1 degree of accuracy. 

“The accuracy we can achieve when assisted by this technology is phenomenal. That accuracy has loads of benefits in terms of outcomes for our patients, including less pain, quicker rehabilitation and happier patients.”

General Manager, Peter Wood, said the arrival of the orthopaedic robot at St Stephen’s was part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to making exceptional care available closer to home.

For Doug McClean, it’s been a positive experience and one that’s helping him get back to the activities he enjoys. 

“I’ve continued having regular rehabilitation appointments at St Stephen’s in the month following surgery and it’s just great that I can feel myself getting better every day,” Doug said. 

“My objective now is to get back to golf!,” he said.