BMH surgeon performs 500th robot-assisted joint replacement

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon H. Kevin Jones, M.D., and his surgical team celebrate their 500th robot-assisted joint replacement surgery last week at Beaufort Memorial. Pictured, from left, are Lauren Londono, RN; William Schreffler, NP; Brenda Carrick, CST; Rainey Fripp; H. Kevin Jones, MD; Robert Lewis, RN; Cynthia Hamon, RN; Kevin Barrett, CST; Cullen Estep, RN; and Natalie Landon, RN. “This is an exciting milestone,” said Jones, who was an early proponent of the technology and performed the hospital’s first robot-assisted hip replacement in late 2021. “The Mako SmartRobotics technology has been a game changer for total joint replacement, and we are seeing great outcomes.” Jones, along with several other Beaufort Memorial surgeons, began using the Mako surgical system for knee replacements in February 2020 and added robot-assisted hip replacement the next year. Clinical studies have shown the state-of-the-art technology improves outcomes by allowing the surgeon to customize the placement and alignment of the implant components to the patients’ unique anatomy, providing more natural movement of the joint and increasing its longevity. Due to the added precision, most patients also experience less post-operative pain and a faster return to normal activities, with some going home the day of their surgery. Submitted photo.