Expanding Rapid Recovery Close to Home: Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement Surgery

For patients with limited mobility or orthopaedic pain, the stress of having to travel for care can be a burden, and can even discourage people from getting the help they need.

That’s why AHN remains committed to bringing orthopaedic care closer to home. With robotic-assisted joint replacement surgeries available at four of our convenient locations, more patients are experiencing the benefits of same-day hip and knee replacements right in their own communities.

Robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery

The AHN Orthopaedic Institute was the first program in western Pennsylvania to use Mako® Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology for hip and knee replacement surgery.

The robotic system is hands-on, working like a GPS-guided tool that leads to:

• Unprecedented levels of accuracy.
• Less invasive procedures.
• Reduced recovery time.
• Reduced risk of infection and other complications.

Rapid recovery

Patients who undergo robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery experience a highly accelerated recovery time, with more than 90% of patients returning home the same day. The remainder are those with a blood pressure problem, urinary retention, pain control, or other issue that requires a night in the hospital.

Patients may experience several benefits with an at-home recovery including:

1. Better sleep.
2. Familiar environment.
3. Less narcotic use to control pain.

The use of short-acting spinal anesthesia also allows patients to achieve a faster return of function and begin physical therapy early in their recovery. This and other new modalities help patients to more effectively manage early-onset pain and nausea.

Increasing access to care

Transportation to hospitals presents a challenge for many individuals. By investing in robotic-assisted orthopaedic technology in communities beyond the city limits, AHN removes a burdensome barrier to care for residents across western PA.

AHN Orthopaedic Institute physician, Eric J.Yakish, MD, says the expansion of services into more communities and heightened convenience has been “huge” for patients. “Patients appreciate that they can get that level of care locally.”

AHN offers robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery at four community locations:

AHN Allegheny General Hospital
320 East North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

AHN Monroeville Surgery Center
4121 Monroeville Blvd
Monroeville, PA 15146

AHN Wexford Hospital
12351 Perry Highway
Wexford, PA 15090

AHN Canonsburg Hospital
100 Medical Boulevard
Canonsburg, PA 15317

Joint replacement surgery at AHN: Why choose us?

With our hip and knee replacement program recently ranked as high performing by the latest U.S. News and World Report “Best Hospitals” list, the AHN Orthopaedic Institute is one of the largest and most comprehensive orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine programs in the state of Pennsylvania. Its more than 70 affiliated orthopaedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists provide access to a full spectrum of care for musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, including advanced, minimally invasive surgical approaches that help patients recover faster and with less pain.

How to refer:

For more information or to collaborate on patient care, call 877-640-6777.