Orthopaedic team in UK first for robotic assisted knee replacement surgery

A grandad of six from Kirkby has had his knee replaced using a system which is the first of its kind in the NHS, thanks to teams at Broadgreen Hospital.

Alan Brooks, 64, a retired floor fitter, has lived with chronic knee pain for over a decade. Having previously undergone conventional knee replacement surgery on his left knee, Alan was once again treated by the same orthopaedic team at Broadgreen, this time with the cutting-edge VELYS™ Robotic Assisted Solution from Johnson & Johnson, which was being used for the first time in the NHS.

The advanced robotic technology allows for a highly precise, patient-specific approach to knee replacement. By improving implant alignment and placement, the system enhances surgical accuracy, reduces pain and speeds up recovery, meaning patients spend less time in hospital and can return to their daily lives more quickly. The benefits also extend to the NHS, with reduced costs for surgical instruments and sterilisation services and increased longevity of the new knee, leading to a reduced need for secondary operations.

Alan (pictured with his surgical team) said: “The whole team at Broadgreen Hospital has been fantastic, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had access to this technology. I can’t wait to get back to enjoying time with my family, pain-free. I’ll soon be able to get back to playing football with my grandchildren in the park and days out at the seaside, as well as being more mobile on holidays and getting back into swimming.”

Mr Andrew Phillipson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who led the procedure, said: “This technology is a major step forward, allowing us to operate with even greater precision, which leads to faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, and better long-term outcomes for patients.”

Read more about this story on the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group website here.