We’re thrilled that last month, one of our Hip & Knee specialists, Mr Zu Nawaz, orthopaedic consultant successfully completed the first VELYS robotic partial knee replacement in the south of England.
His patient returned for his follow up session this month and as Mr Nawaz commented:
“The patient is so delighted with his knee, and he’s managed to do 300 steps up a flight of stairs daily as exercise. He has also returned to his pedal bike just 4 weeks after his knee operation! This excellent progress is testament to the benefits of performing a robotically assisted knee and a motivated patient.”
So, what are the advantages of VELYS robotic assisted knee surgery and what does it involve?
What is the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution?
The VELYS system is a state of the art system designed to help surgeons to be more precise during both total and partial knee arthroplasty (replacement) surgery. Key advantages of this robotic assisted surgical system include:
- A more accurate fit for the replacement implant
- Reduced soft tissue trauma
- Less post operative pain
- Shorter stay in hospital
- Faster recovery times compared with conventional surgery
- No pre-op CT scans required, reducing associated radiation exposure
- Faster operation times
- Improved, long-lasting results
The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution is part of a range of so-called Enabling Tech solutions from DePuy Synths, the orthopaedic company of Johnson & Johnson Medtech (3).
Who can benefit from robotic assisted knee replacements?
To see if robotic-assisted knee surgery might be right for you, first make an appointment to see one of our hip and knee specialist consultants. There’s no need to wait to get a referral or have scans done first – one of our consultants can usually see you in a matter of days, not months. So contact us and look forward to taking your first pain free step!In general, knee replacement surgery may be suitable if you have:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Knee damage that is injury-related
Not everyone needs surgery
At Joint Reaction, only 30% of our patients actually require surgery. The majority are treated using non-invasive treatments such as targeted physiotherapy, planned rehabilitation, and in some cases, specific injections.
To work out if you need surgery, your consultant will talk to you about your knee pain, movement levels and your medical history at your first consultation visit. Call us to book your private consultation with a specialist consultant in just days, not weeks. It’s affordable too, with initial consultations costing on average £300.
How does the VELYS system work?
The VELYS Robotic-Assisted system combines advanced software with a robotic tool guided by a specialist consultant surgeon. Optical trackers and cameras monitor the surgery and provide the surgeon with insights in real time. This is far more accurate and effective than relying on a CT scan result, and allows our surgeons to only remove the damaged parts of the knee.
The robotic tool provides exceptional accuracy and precision for all aspects of the operation, including bone cuts and the alignment of the implant. With such detailed feedback, the surgeon can ensure the ideal fit for the individual patient and their anatomy (no two knees are exactly the same!). This in turn improves the stability and motion of the new knee and so our patients can be back on their feet and enjoying normal life again in less time.
The results are in
Whilst robotic assisted surgery is relatively new technology, the indications are that robotic-assisted surgery can help new knees to last for up to 25 years, a significant increase in lifespan that keep patients active and pain-free for longer.
A study into total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in 2024 compared two groups (cohorts), one of which had robotic-assisted surgery and the other manual traditional surgery. The paper’s authors noted that:
“The use of DePuy Synthes VELYS robotic-assisted solution (VRAS) for TKA is associated with lower follow-up visits and knee-related readmission rates in the first 90-days postoperatively.” (4) (5)
Private consultations within days, not months
Call us to book your private consultation with a Joint Reaction specialist orthopaedic surgeon from as little as £300. No private medical insurance or GP referral required.
IMPORTANT: This article on robotic-assisted knee surgery is for your information only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. When you first meet your Joint Reaction consultant, they will discuss any knee issues, previous diagnosis or scans you may have.
SOURCES:
(1) DePuy Synthes. (n.d.). Get to know VELYS™ Robotics [Brochure]. https://www.jnjmedtech.com/system/files/pdf/174574-230726%20VRAS%20Patient%20Brochure_approved.pdf
(2) J&J MedTech. (2021, March 18). VELYS digital surgery [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU9CzO8ZHyE
(3) Johnson & Johnson MedTech. (n.d.). Robotic-assisted precision in knee replacement. https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/patient/velys/robotic-assisted-solution
(4) Huang, P., Cross, M., Gupta, A., Intwala, D., Ruppenkamp, J., & Hoeffel, D. (2024). Early clinical and economic outcomes for the VELYS robotic-assisted solution compared with manual instrumentation for total knee arthroplasty. The Journal of Knee Surgery, 37(12), 864–872. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2343-2444
(5) DePuy Synthes. (n.d.). VELYS™ robotic-assisted solution. https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/product/velys-robotic-assisted-solutionThis includes an interactive image of the whole system set up, which you can click on for more details of each part.