Kaunas is the first city in the Baltic States where knee endoprosthesis surgeries can be performed with the assistance of a robot. The new system helps surgeons precisely plan implant placement and bone cuts, allowing patients to return to their normal routines much faster after surgery.
Robot-assisted surgeries are gaining momentum worldwide. The United Kingdom plans to perform 500,000 surgeries annually using robotic systems by 2035, while the U.S. recently performed the first heart transplant in its history using a robot. Lithuania is keeping pace with global trends and has become the first Baltic country where residents can undergo knee replacement surgery with the help of a robot. This innovation is particularly beneficial for people suffering from knee osteoarthritis, knee deformities, or worn-out joints, as the robotic system helps restore joint function with precision.
Currently, Nordorthopaedics in Kaunas, the leading private orthopedic clinic in the Baltics, is the only institution applying this innovation during operations.
The ROSA® Knee System helps the surgeon precisely plan implant placement before making bone cuts and ensures a more accurate soft tissue balance, improving the biomechanics and function of the knee joint after surgery. Using the system, the surgeon can perform sub-millimeter precision cuts and exact implant placement, achieving an ideal knee axis. This leads to less implant wear and fewer complications.
Kristupas Žegunis, a specialist from UAB Biomedika, the company that introduced the robotic system in Lithuania, says the system was created by surgeons, for surgeons, and its application in practice is intuitive and quickly mastered.
“The robot allows the surgeon to maintain the usual surgical flow and apply already known methods. Since the system acts as a surgical instrument, the need for other surgical tools decreases,” adds K. Žegunis. “In the future, the system’s applications will expand — robotics for hip and shoulder joint surgeries are currently being developed.”
Additionally, to ensure smooth system operation, the clinic’s surgeons participated in training in Slovakia, where they shared experiences and observed how the system works in real clinical settings.
The Robot Will Not Replace the Surgeon
Professor Dr. Šarūnas Tarasevičius, an orthopedic traumatologist at the clinic, emphasizes that the goal of this robotic technology is to provide comprehensive assistance to the surgeon during the procedure. Nevertheless, the robot does not make independent decisions — full control over the procedure remains with the human.
“The robot works like a GPS system: it refines, provides measurements and coordinates. The surgeon is the one who makes every decision and coordinates every step. Moreover, the system actively participates during the cutting phases, but not throughout the entire operation. The robot is needed for achieving exceptional precision, as it is a tool for the surgeon,” says Prof. Dr. Š. Tarasevičius.
Patients often worry whether robot-assisted surgery is safe. The orthopedic traumatologist wants to reassure them: the robot will not make mistakes — on the contrary, it helps reduce the risk of human error.
“Patient health and safety are the priority. Before each operation, the system undergoes diagnostics. Additionally, if needed, the system can be switched to instrument mode, allowing the procedure to continue in the usual manner. The robot never operates autonomously,” assures the surgeon.
After Surgery — Back to Normal Life
Before the surgery, the patient undergoes a CT scan or MRI, after which a 3D model of the knee is created. An individual surgical plan is also developed, determining the implant size, placement, and axis correction. During the operation, the system helps control the procedure, monitoring the knee’s position in real time. After implanting the knee joint (femur, tibia, or, if necessary, patella) part, knee stability, balance, and mobility are checked.
People undergoing knee replacement with the help of the robotic system usually recover faster and experience less pain after surgery, as tissues are less damaged. Patients can typically go home 1–3 days after surgery and drive again after 2 weeks. Rehabilitation time is also shortened, and the patient can return to a normal routine within 3–4 weeks.
Nordorthopaedics is a leading orthopaedic surgery clinic for medical tourists in the European Union. Over 90 % of our patients come from the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Canada and other countries. Clinic has uniquely designed outpatient rehabilitation program and is the only center of excellence in the region for Smith & Nephew.
