Montefiore in the News

Dr. Carlos Alvarado leads a new robotic joint replacement program at Montefiore Health System  Photo courtesy of Montefiore Health System

This month, Montefiore Health System launched itsnew robotic joint replacement program led by Dr. Carlos Alvarado who recently joined the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. Montefiore is one of the first programs in the area to utilize the new surgical robot called ROSA – Robotic Surgical Assistant.

Over one million total hip and total knee replacement procedures are performed each year in the United States. Dr. Alvarado, director of robotic hip and knee surgery, uses the new technology at Montefiore to make a 3D model of the patients’ bone anatomy by taking x-rays, as opposed to most robotic devices which require CT scans. CT scans can be more costly and difficult to access, so by using x-rays, more patients may be eligible for this state-of-the-art approach.

ROSA is used under the direction of the surgeon to tailor the placement of each patient’s knee implant. The robotic arm is guided by the surgeon to help improve the precision of the surgery and reduce the need for revisions. Montefiore has one of the highest volume joint replacement programs in the local area, providing care for the most complex cases. Typically patients are able to return home the day after surgery.

Alvarado attended the University of Michigan Medical School, was a resident at the Hospital for Joint Diseases at NYU and was a fellow of Harvard Combined Orthopedics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Inc., Boston.