Rosa the robot’s knee surgery helps granny Shirley Teua back on her feet

A private bayside hospital is offering patients state-of-the-art surgery using a robot to fix damaged knees with one granny hailing its success and kicking up her heels.

Shirley Teua was the first patient to have a knee replacement at Mater Private Hospital Redland using the new Rosa the robot. Picture: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

A 79-year-old Redlands woman who suffered debilitating knee pain for 15 years is back on her feet after undergoing life-changing robotic knee replacement surgery.

Wellington Point’s Shirley Teua was the first person to have a knee replaced using Rosa the robot at Mater Private Hospital Redlands.

Staff nicknamed the equipment after the acronym which stands for robotic surgical assistant.

For the past 15 years, Ms Teua endured severe knee pain after tearing her meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee, which left her in constant discomfort and unable to stand.

Shirley Teua was the first patient to have a knee replacement at Mater Private Hospital Redland with the new Rosa the Robot. Eight weeks after the surgery, she is happy at home with her six-year-old cat, Ellie. Pictures: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

Mater Private Hospital Redland orthopaedic surgeon Dr David Ramsay performed the surgery and said the hospital was the first in the area to offer the cutting-edge robotic technology.

He said the robot helped surgeons plan and perform personalised and highly precise cuts to bone, ensuring implants could be better fitted according to a patient’s individual anatomy.

Dr Ramsay said the technique achieved faster recovery times, less pain and a more “natural” feel in the knee joint – with patients typically back on their feet within days.

He said having the new technology at Mater Private Hospital Redland, would benefit many patients who would not have to travel into Brisbane for surgery.

“The surgeon still does the procedure, but it allows us to do much more controlled and subtle balancing of the ligaments and tendons around the knee during the surgery than what the previous system could do,” Dr Ramsay said.

“Using the robot helps make the new replacement feel more like a natural knee.

“This robot can also give us information about what the soft tissue is doing.

“With ROSA’s assistance, surgeons can more accurately plan pathways for patients who present with unusual cases and those with higher risk or more difficult surgeries.”

Rosa the robot, has helped with knee surgery at a Redland hospital. Picture: Trinity Health

Ms Teua said since her surgery in May, she had recovered well and was now able to drive her car, use her sewing machine and walk around the supermarket unaided.

“Life before the operation was hard,” she said.

“My right knee developed arthritis, it was bone on bone, which led to getting the knee replacement.

“It would take me about three minutes to stand up, it was horrible. This surgery has been life-changing and I am in absolutely no more pain.

“My recovery was so good that I was up walking a day after surgery – I wasn’t expecting that at all.”

Rosa was developed by US-based manufacturer Zimmer Biomet, which provides surgeons with enhanced precision before, during and after knee replacement procedures.

Dr Ramsay said the benefits for Mater patients had been evident, from preoperative care and planning through to surgery, rehabilitation and follow-ups.

Rosa the robot is also used at Mater Private Hospital Springfield, Mater Private Hospital South Brisbane and Mater Private Hospital Townsville.

Originally published as Rosa the robot’s knee surgery helps granny Shirley Teua back on her feet