St. Tammany Health System in October became the first in South Louisiana to conduct Velys robotic-assisted knee replacement, an innovative, second-generation procedure designed to get patients back on their feet sooner, with less discomfort and more mobility.
Dr. Mark Hontas, an orthopedic surgeon with St. Tammany Health System’s Bone & Joint Clinic, has used the Velys system exclusively since fall 2022. So far, he said the technologically advanced system compares favorably to other knee-replacement systems.
“I’ll tell you what, I am impressed with the immediate post-op patient experience,” Dr. Hontas said. “They seem to have a wonderful range of motion.”
While he noted that it will take a few more months to fully assess the success of those first-on-the-Northshore surgeries, Dr. Hontas said older, first-generation knee-replacement systems – which use more of a one-size-fits-all approach – often leave patients unconfident about their new knee’s mid-range strength. That’s particularly true when, for example, they are rising from a seated position or when in a crouched position.
DePuys Synthes’ Velys device, which works in tandem with the Attune knee system, leverages an array of new technology – including high-speed cameras, precision robotics and lighter, more nimble core components – to help surgeons, starting with the development of a custom surgery plan based on each patient’s unique anatomy.
The result, in theory, is a more precise surgery, which means less soft-tissue removal and, in the end, a more well-balanced knee.
Ideally, it will also mean less post-op discomfort and a quicker recovery time for patients.
According to DePuy Synthes, the orthopedics branch of Johnson & Johnson, a patient will typically be able to walk unaided and return to work and everyday activities just six weeks after Velys-assisted surgery. After 12 weeks, patients may even perform low-impact activities such as golfing, yoga and swimming
As an added bonus, Velys patients don’t require a pre-operative CAT scan, which saves money, saves time and spares the patient unnecessary exposure to radiation.
“St Tammany Health System has committed to embracing new technology to help us provide the best healthcare we can, and that’s true across the board,” Dr. Hontas said. “It’s a very exciting time to be a part of St. Tammany Health System.”
The Velys surgical system is the latest addition to the growing robotics arsenal at St. Tammany Health System, which in 2007 became the first robotics institute along the Interstate 12 corridor. Among other robotic-assisted surgical systems employed at the Covington-based health system are the Da Vinci surgical robot, the Stryker Mako system, the Modus V/Brightmatter system and Globus Excelsius GPS.