London first as Cleveland Clinic patient receives AR-assisted total knee replacement surgery

Cleveland Clinic London has become the first hospital in London to successfully perform a total knee replacement procedure with the assistance of an augmented reality-based surgical platform that was designed with artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Consultant orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon, Mr Panagiotis Gikas, led the surgical team during the procedure on July 18.

The patient is doing well following the procedure to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Mr Gikas said: “Augmented reality gives a visualization of the joint that is more dynamic as it is three-dimensional (3D).

“The advanced technology helps with planning the procedure and allows for the best positioning of the implant for each patient during the procedure.

“The end-result is tailored to the unique anatomy and specific needs of each patient.”

Total knee replacement is a successful treatment for advanced knee arthritis that treats pain and restores function.

In recent years, augmented reality (AR) has become increasingly beneficial in orthopaedic surgery, with significant advantages that equip the operating team with the tools to provide a more personalised approach to patient care.

Prior to the procedure, Dr Gikas used advanced imaging software to visualise the patient’s knee joint in 3D and determine the ideal implant positioning for the patient, based on their specific anatomy.

The virtual 3D model of the patient’s knee helps the surgical team evaluate damaged bone and cartilage, enabling them to plan for the surgery and the optimal placement for the implant.

During the procedure, the surgeon wears a pair of augmented reality glasses to view the patient’s specific knee anatomy in 3D.

Two small sensors are attached to the patient’s leg to provide real-time soft tissue feedback, such as the tension of the ligaments.

The AR-based platform enables the surgical team to easily adjust, better visualise and determine the proper placement of the implant given the patient’s specific anatomy, which is key to a successful knee replacement procedure.

AR is being adapted by Cleveland Clinic research scientists and physicians for use in a wide array of clinical applications, including aortic aneurysm treatment.

Cleveland Clinic used AR technology during an extremely complex total face transplant surgery in 2017.

The technology was also incorporated into liver cancer treatment at Cleveland Clinic.