Sixty-year-old Jeanne Humphreys recently underwent a groundbreaking robotically assisted knee replacement at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, where she once worked as a nurse. Fittingly, Jeanne’s journey was not only a medical milestone for Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital but a heartfelt return to a hospital she holds dear.
“Returning to Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital as a patient was quite overwhelming, as it holds such a special place in my heart,” shares Jeanne. “This hospital, founded by nuns, has a foundation steeped in care and compassion. I spent 20 years here as a unit manager, overseeing the medical, renal and maternity wards. Many nurses who cared for me after my procedure were once my students, while nine current unit managers were my colleagues during those years. Seeing them excel in their careers is wonderful.”
Jeanne, who had been battling rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune condition causing severe pain, stiffness and deformities of her joints, was medically boarded five years ago. “It was hard for me to stop working, but severe deformity in my knee made it difficult to stay on my feet. I remember arriving at work as usual one morning, but by 10:00 am, I had to be pushed around in a wheelchair. At one point, I even conducted performance appraisals from my hospital bed. It was such a blessing to work for a company like Netcare – even after being medically boarded, they took exceptional care of me – they truly look after their people,” she recalls.
| Sharing a full-circle moment together are orthopaedic surgeon, Dr A D Bhatta with his patient, Jeanne Humphreys who is happily back in her garden after recently undergoing a successful robotic knee replacement procedure at Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban. |
| The pioneering team behind the first robotically assisted knee replacement procedure which was recently performed at Netcare St Augustine's Hospital in Durban. From left to right: Thobile Gumede – Staff Nurse; Phiwokuhle Khubisa – Staff Nurse; Heidi Hope Underwood – Registered Nurse; Dr Johannes Jacobus van Aswegen – Anaesthetist; Dr Aavas Dev (A.D.) Bhatta – Orthopaedic Surgeon; and Mark Derek Sivell of Zimmer Biomet. |
Despite trying to delay the knee replacement procedure, the severity of her condition and seven years of constant pain and discomfort eventually made it impossible to avoid the surgery any longer.
“My rheumatologist referred me to Dr A D Bhatta, an orthopaedic surgeon who is incredibly caring and passionate about his work. He took the time to examine me and explain the need for surgery in detail. His office staff managed all the logistics, including obtaining authorisation from my medical scheme. My experience in the theatre was also positive, especially when I met Rosa the Robot, which became almost human to me.
Dr A D Bhatta, who specialises in arthroplasty, particularly hip and knee surgeries, highlights the advanced precision and control provided by Zimmer Biomet’s robotic-assisted ROSA system. “The surgeon remains in complete control throughout the procedure, with the robotic system serving as an invaluable assistant. The robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon, offers additional safeguards due to its ability to target the precise areas earmarked for surgery, thereby preventing damage to critical structures in the knee.
"The robotic system redefines precision and control in arthroplasty by providing critical data about the patient's unique anatomy, aiding informed decision-making throughout the operation. This data-driven approach allows the surgeon to customise the placement of implants with unparalleled accuracy, ensuring a more natural fit and function of the joint.
“Joint replacement is highly complex as each patient's anatomical morphology is vastly different with its own challenges. In Jeanne’s case, she had a severe valgus knee deformity – also known as knock knee that caused her lower knee joint to angle outwards by approximately 20 degrees. The personalised alignment technique, made possible with the aid of the kinematic alignment of the ROSA system, calculated the exact amount of bone that had to be cut, ensuring a close-to-normal alignment for Jeanne.
"This enabled greater precision in matching the natural balance of her knee and therefore helped to restore the unique alignment between the knee, hips, and ankles, which is crucial for comfort and mobility," he explains.
Reflecting on the outcome of her procedure, Jeanne says that she is already back in her garden and walking up and down the stairs. “After the operation, the pain in my knee was gone instantly – it was just amazing. I was up and walking the same afternoon and started physio the very next day. It has been a good journey for me.
“Ahead of the operation, I had to stop my rheumatoid arthritis medications, which caused additional pain. But I am back on my medicine now, and I’m glad that I had the robotic knee replacement surgery, as I could no longer walk because of my deformed leg. Now my leg is straight, and I’m improving every day,” she says happily.
“Jeanne’s post-operative check-up two weeks after surgery showed excellent progress. I’m really pleased with her recovery and mobility. This advanced total knee replacement system has signalled a new era in personalised joint replacement and is here to stay. It is a valuable tool for orthopaedic surgeons to more precisely implant knee joints that are correctly fitted, balanced and therefore longer lasting.
“This is an incredible full-circle moment for all of us as Jeanne returned to her place of work for this historic operation. I’m so pleased to have performed this procedure for her and to see her pain-free and mobile again,” states Dr Bhatta.
According to Dr Erich Bock, acting managing director of Netcare’s Hospital division, the ROSA robotic system represents a significant leap forward in the field of arthroplasty. “Its advanced precision and control, combined with the expertise of surgeons like Dr Bhatta, are transforming joint replacement surgeries. Thanks to the integration of cutting-edge technology in the operating room, patients can achieve better outcomes with less pain and faster recoveries. As robotic-assisted surgeries continue to evolve, they promise to revolutionise how complex medical procedures are approached, ultimately improving the lives of countless patients worldwide.
“This milestone not only signifies a leap forward in medical technology at Netcare St Augustine's Hospital but also underscores the commitment of the hospital to providing innovative and top-notch medical care to the community,” concludes Dr Bock.
Ends
Notes to editors
Experience seamless healthcare access with the Netcare App. Enjoy convenient healthcare anytime, anywhere, with expert medical care at your fingertips. Book appointments, consult with GPs virtually and manage pre-admissions all in one place. From emergency response services with geolocation to seamless admission, discover a new level of care. Download the Netcare App today.
Alternatively, contact Netcare Appointmed on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 17:00 to make an appointment with a therapist, doctor or specialist practising at a Netcare hospital, Netcare Medicross or Netcare Akeso facility near you.
For media enquiries, contact MNA at the contact details listed below.
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster or Clementine Forsthofer
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]