On a Roll

South Bay man is mobile again thanks to Mako robotic-assisted surgery.

Keilyn Randle, 49, enjoyed exercising at the gym, swimming and bowling, until he suffered a work-related accident two years ago, putting an end to his physical activities. A truck driver, Randle was knocked off the six-foot-high tailgate of his truck. When he landed, “it felt as if my knee had shattered. By the next day I was in excruciating pain, he says.

Arthroscopic surgery and physical therapy failed to solve the problem. “Walking downstairs was painful, and going upstairs was impossible,” says Randle. His doctor referred him to Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance to see orthopedic surgeon Andrew Wassef, MD, an expert in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery with a special focus on joint replacement.

“In May of last year, I performed a medial-compartment partial knee replacement surgery using a state-of-the-art procedure,” says Dr. Wassef. “Keilyn was able to go home that same day.”

Dr. Wassef is referring to the use of Mako SmartRobotics, which utilizes 3D images of a patient’s anatomy to help guide surgeons as they perform knee and hip replacement procedures and precisely place the implants. “We take a CT scan of the joint before the surgery to get information on the quality, size and position of the bone. That helps us make decisions about our surgical approach,” says Dr. Wassef. “During surgery, the Mako system takes those images and correlates them with the patient’s actual anatomy so we can see the bones and ligaments in real time and make customized adjustments as we work. The robotic arm helps guide us in achieving precision.”

At Providence Little Company of Mary, we strive to provide the latest technology to improve outcomes and hasten recovery. We have two Mako devices at our Torrance facility.

Dr. Wassef notes that the combination of robotic surgery and targeted anesthesia (infusing medication directly into the surgical site) helps patients quickly return home after joint replacement. Additionally, anesthesiologists use nerve blocks and spinal anesthesia, rather than general anesthesia, so patients recover more quickly. They typically go home the same day or the day after their surgery.

Having a Mako robotic-arm-assisted partial or total knee or hip replacement at Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance means you will benefit from the skill and cohesiveness of our orthopedics team. “The same members of the surgical team always work together, which minimizes errors and maximizes outcomes,” says Dr. Wassef.

“Our physical therapists have specialized training in orthopedics and have best-practice protocols for treating patients and preparing them for the transition home,” he adds. “And our nurse navigator, Ruth Tesfaye, guides patients through the entire process. A nurse practitioner, Tesfaye provides preoperative classes and follows the patients in the hospital after their procedure. She collaborates with the entire team of caregivers to ensure the patient receives the best possible care.”

Dr. Wassef also specializes in revision surgery, the adjustment or replacement of a previous total joint replacement.

“Surgeons should have specific training for revision surgery, as it is a more complex procedure,” says Dr. Wassef, who completed a fellowship in joint replacement and revision surgery. “A revision procedure is typically more complex than the original knee replacement surgery. Robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery can help minimize the need for revision surgery. Although revision is not common, given the prevalence of joint replacement surgeries as our population ages, there will always be some need for revisions.”

As for Keilyn Randle, after two years of disability, he recently started a new job driving big rigs for a mail equipment company. He’s also taken up bicycle riding to strengthen his legs. He regularly rides his bike from his home in Carson to the Queen Mary in Long Beach and back. He recently biked all the way to Disneyland, a round-trip of about 50 miles. “I did a lot of research to find the right procedure and the right physician,” says Randle. “Robotic surgery was the best option, and Dr. Wassef is one of the top robotic surgeons out there. My experience was excellent, and I would recommend robotic joint surgery with Dr. Wassef and Providence Little Company of Mary to anyone who needs it.”

For more information on orthopedic surgery and Mako robotic-arm-assisted knee replacement, call 844-925-0942. 

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