CHRISTUS Health in Tyler performs first robot-assisted total shoulder replacement

CHRISTUS Health has completed its first robot-assisted total shoulder replacement, marking another advancement in surgical technology available to patients in East Texas.

Dr. Azael Arizpe performed the procedure using the Mako SmartRobotics™, a robotic-assisted shoulder platform, which helps surgeons execute detailed surgical plans with greater precision. CHRISTUS Health already uses the technology for hip and knee replacements and now offers the same advantages to shoulder replacement patients.

Stryker, the maker of the Mako unit, confirmed the procedure was the first of its kind in East Texas using the technology and the second statewide.

“The shoulder is an extremely complex joint, and even small differences in implant positioning can have significant implications for how the shoulder functions after surgery,” Arizpe said. “This platform allows us to take the detailed surgical plan we’ve developed before surgery and execute it with an even greater level of precision.”

Shoulder replacement can help patients experiencing significant pain, weakness and limited mobility due to advanced arthritis or severe rotator cuff damage. For some patients, a reverse shoulder replacement can help restore function when the rotator cuff is no longer working properly.

Arizpe said the technology provides another tool to help improve patient outcomes by optimizing implant positioning, supporting range of motion and potentially improving the long-term durability of the replacement.

“Ultimately, my goal for every patient is to relieve their pain, maximize their function and provide a shoulder replacement that lasts as long as possible,” Arizpe said. “This technology represents another step forward in combining the surgeon’s experience and judgment with advanced technology to deliver the most precise and personalized shoulder replacement we can.”