The Great Falls Hospital Adds Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics™ System to Expand Orthopedic Excellence with Advanced Robotic-Arm | Great Falls Clinic (2025)

The Great Falls Hospital is pleased to announce the latest addition of robotics technology to the orthopedic operating room, Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics™ System. This advancement in joint replacement surgery transforms the way total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements are performed, by helping surgeons know more and cut less.^1-5*

Mako SmartRobotics™ combines three key components, 3D CT-based planning, AccuStopTM haptic technology and insightful data analytics, into one platform that has shown better outcomes for total knee, total hip and partial knee patients.^6-8

“I am very excited to have the Mako technology here at the Great Falls Hospital,” shares Dr. Andrew Blackman, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and certified Mako robotic system user of the Great Falls Hospital. “The Mako system is unique in that it uses 3D modeling of each patient’s joint, and the technology works for both knee replacement and hip replacement. It is a valuable tool for joint replacement patients and has been clinically shown to result in fewer complications, less soft tissue damage, more accurate implant placement and quicker recovery. Patients get a CT scan before surgery and a computerized 3D model of their joint is built, which allows an individualized surgical plan to be created before the surgery even begins. During surgery, the Mako technology is used to execute the individualized plan and make any adjustments necessary. No two patients are identical; the Mako system allows us to personalize surgeries like never before and helps us provide truly personalized care to all.”

The Great Falls Hospital holds numerous national accolades for excellence in orthopedic surgery including a Healthgrades Five Star Rating for Outpatient Rotator Cuff Repair in 2025 and Total Hip Replacement Surgery for five years running. Additionally, the Hospital has been recognized by Healthgrades with a Joint Replacement Excellence Award from 2021-2024, America’s 100 Best in Joint Replacement in 2024, and Five Star Ratings in Total Knee Replacement from 2017-2024. The Central Montana community trusts the Great Falls Hospital as a premium healthcare network to meet their needs for joint repair. Between the cutting-edge technology of the Mako SmartRobotics™ and award-winning performances by surgeons such as Dr. Blackman at the Great Falls Hospital, patients can expect an exemplary experience when it comes time for total or partial joint repairs.

“We are extremely proud to offer the highly advanced Stryker Mako SmartRobotics™ technology to our patients,” said Mark Robinson, CEO of the Great Falls Hospital. “This addition to our orthopedic service line further demonstrates our commitment to provide the community with outstanding healthcare with the best possible outcomes.”

More on Total Knee Replacements with Mako

Total knee replacements in the United States are expected to increase 189% by 2030,⁹ yet studies have shown that approximately 20% of patients are dissatisfied after conventional surgery.¹⁰ Mako Total Knee combines Stryker’s advanced robotic technology with its clinically successful Triathlon Total Knee System, which enables surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience with increased precision and accuracy.¹¹ In clinical studies, Mako Total Knee demonstrated the potential for patients to experience less pain, less need for opiate analgesics, less need for inpatient physical therapy, reduction in length of hospital stay, improved knee flexion and greater soft tissue protection in comparison to manual techniques.^3,7

More on Partial Knee Replacement with Mako

Mako SmartRobotics™ for Partial Knee replacement is a treatment option designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis that has not yet progressed to all three compartments of the knee. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic arm during bone preparation to execute the predetermined surgical plan and position the implant. By selectively targeting only the part of the knee damaged by osteoarthritis, surgeons can resurface the diseased portion of the knee while helping to protect the healthy bone surrounding the knee joint.⁴ Studies have shown that robotic-arm assisted partial knee replacement, leads to greater accuracy of implant position to plan compared to manual partial knee replacement procedures.^12,13

More on Total Hip Replacement with Mako

By 2030, total hip replacements in the United States are projected to grow 171%.⁹ Mako SmartRobotics™ for Total Hip is a treatment option for adults who suffer from degenerative joint disease of the hip. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic arm during bone preparation to prepare the hip socket and position the implant according to the predetermined surgical plan. In a controlled matched-paired study to measure acetabular bone resection, results suggested greater bone preservation for Mako Total Hip compared to manual surgery.²

The Mako Robotic System will begin assisting with joint repairs at the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital beginning in February. To learn more, visit gfclinic.com or call 406-454-2171.

About the Great Falls Clinic and Hospital

In 1917, four visionary medical leaders opened a world-class comprehensive health care center, with an integrated team of specialists and a personal approach to wellness—far from an urban center. Today, the Great Falls Clinic provides diverse specialty medical clinics, urgent care clinics, primary care, cancer center, and highly specialized surgical services. The Great Falls Clinic and Hospital are committed to improving the health and wellness of our community by striving to provide the best healthcare possible.

As a provider-led organization, the Clinic is committed to recruiting the exemplary medical staff
members, harnessing the power of the latest medical technologies, continually striving for advancement, and above all, working as a team to meet the health needs of the 250,000 residents living in Central Montana.

*For the Mako Total Knee application, “cut less” refers to less soft tissue damage and greater bone preservation as compared to manual surgery.^3,4 For the Mako Total Hip and Partial Knee applications, “cut less” refers to greater bone preservation as compared to manual surgery.^1,2,5

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Hip & Knee Replacements

Hip joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, fracture of the neck of the femur or functional deformity of the hip.

Knee joint replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative, rheumatoid and post-traumatic arthritis, and for moderate deformity of the knee.

Joint replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe instability of the joint, or excessive body weight.

Like any surgery, joint replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, bone fracture, change in the treated leg length (hip), joint stiffness, hip joint fusion, amputation, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal digestive movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death.

Implant related risks which may lead to a revision of the implant include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth in tissue), wear of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, soft tissue imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), audible sounds during motion, and reaction to particle debris. Hip and knee implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device, including avoiding high- impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if a joint replacement is right for you.

Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: AccuStop, Mako, SmartRobotics, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respected owners or holders.

References:

1. Banks SA. Haptic robotics enable a systems approach to design of a minimally invasive modular knee arthroplasty. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ). 2009;38(2 Suppl):23-27.
2. Suarez-Ahedo C, Gui C, Martin TJ, Chandrasekaran S, Lodhia P, Domb BG. Robotic-arm assisted total hip arthroplasty results in smaller acetabular cup size in relation to the femoral head size: a matched-pair controlled study. Hip Int. 2017;27(2):147-152. doi:10.5301/hipint.5000418
3. Kayani B, Konan S, Pietrzak JRT, Haddad FS. Iatrogenic bone and soft tissue trauma in robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study and validation of a new classification system. J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(8):2496-2501. doi:10.1016/j. arth.2018.03.042
4. Hozack WJ. Multicentre analysis of outcomes after robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty. Bone Joint J:Orthop Proc. 2018;100- B(Supp_12):38.
5. Hampp E, Chang TC, Pearle A. Robotic partial knee arthroplasty demonstrated greater bone preservation compared to robotic total knee arthroplasty. Poster presented at: Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting; February 2-5, 2019; Austin, TX.
6. Illgen RL Nd, Bukowski BR, Abiola R, et al. Robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty: outcomes at minimum two-year follow-up. Surg Technol Int. 2017;30:365-372.
7. Kayani B, Konan S, Tahmassebi J, Pietrzak JRT, Haddad FS. Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved early functional recovery and reduced time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study. Bone Joint J. 2018;100-B(7):930-937. doi:10.1302/0301-620X.100B7.BJJ-2017-1449.R1
8. Kleeblad LJ, Borus TA, Coon TM, Dounchis J, Nguyen JT, Pearle AD. Midterm survivorship and patient satisfaction of robotic-arm-assisted medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a multicenter study. J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(6):1719-1726. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2018.01.036
9. AAOS. Projected volume of primary and revision total joint replacement in the U.S. 2030 to 2060. http://aaos-annualmeeting- presskit.org/2018/research-news/sloan_ tjr/. Accessed May 9, 2018.
10. Bourne RB, Chesworth BM, Davis AM, Mahomed NN, Charron KDJ. Patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty: who is satisfied and who is not? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 468(1):57-63. doi:10.1007/s11999-009-1119-9 Mahoney O, Kinsey T, Mont M, Hozack W, Orozco F, Chen A. Can computer generated 3D bone models improve the accuracy of total knee component placement compared to manual instrumentation? A prospective multi-center evaluation. Poster presented at: 32nd Annual Congress of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty (ISTA); October 2-5, 2019; Toronto, Canada.
11. Bell SW, Anthony I, Jones B, MacLean A, Rowe P, Blyth M. Improved accuracy of component positioning with robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: data from a prospective, randomized controlled study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016;98(8):627-635. doi:10.2106/JBJS.15.00664
12. Lonner JH, John TK, Conditt MA. Robotic arm-assisted UKA improved tibial component alignment: A pilot study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010;468(1):141-146. doi:10.1007/s11999-009-0977-5