Smart joint replacement

Olivia Bloom • March 9, 2026

University Hospitals brings advanced orthopedic innovation to the UH St. John Medical Center.

Digital wireframe illustration of human legs on a dark background, highlighting glowing red pain points at the knees.

As the demand for joint replacements rises due to sports injuries, overuse and natural wear and tear, University Hospitals’ Mako technology provides a level of customization that traditional methods cannot match.


For many, the hesitation to undergo a hip or knee replacement stems from concerns about recovery time and surgical precision. At UH St. John Medical Center, those barriers are being removed, courtesy of the Mako Robotic-Arm, an advanced innovation that is redefining the joint replacement experience for patients of all ages.


As the demand for joint replacements rises due to sports injuries, overuse and natural wear and tear, Mako technology provides a level of customization that traditional methods cannot match.


“The beauty of this technology is that it’s entirely personalized to the patient’s unique anatomy,” says Rikesh Patel, DO, Director of Robotic Surgery for Total Joint Replacement at University Hospitals. “By using a 3D model of the joint before we even begin, we can plan and execute the surgery with a degree of accuracy that restores natural movement and alignment more effectively than ever before.”


Prioritizing Precision and Faster Recovery

The process begins before the patient enters the operating room. Using 3D modeling, surgeons create a detailed digital map of the existing joint to develop a customized surgical plan.


During the procedure, the surgeon guides the Mako Robotic-Arm based on this plan. The system provides real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback, ensuring the implant is placed with optimal precision. This “robotic assisted” approach allows the surgeon to spare more healthy bone and tissue, which is key to a successful, long-term outcome.


Patients choosing Mako technology benefit from:

  • Increased Accuracy: Precise implant placement leads to better biomechanical alignment and a more “natural” feeling joint.
  • Faster Recovery: With smaller incisions and less tissue disruption, the majority of patients are up and walking the same day and return home the very next day.
  • Less Post-Operative Pain: More conservative surgical techniques often mean a reduced need for heavy pain medication during the healing process.
  • Minimized Scarring: Smaller entry points lead to less scarring and a smoother physical recovery.


By combining the expertise of top-rated orthopedic surgeons with the most advanced robotic technology, UH St. John Medical Center is ensuring patients can get back to the activities they love faster and with more confidence.


To find out if Mako Robotic- Arm Assisted Technology is right for you, call 216-844-7200.


UH St. John Medical Center

29000 Center Ridge Road, Westlake

216-844-7200

UHhospitals.org/StJohn

  • A person wearing a white lab coat with a University Hospitals logo, blue shirt, and patterned tie against a gray background.

    Slide title

    Yianni Apostolakos, MD

    Button
  • Professional headshot of a person wearing a white lab coat, glasses, and a blue tie, against a gray background.

    Slide title

    Steven Cotman, MD

    Button
  • A professional headshot of a person in a white medical coat and a blue dress shirt with a polka-dot tie.

    Slide title

    John Kozy,

    MD

    Button
  • Headshot of a smiling person wearing a dark suit, light blue dress shirt, and a plaid tie against a gray background.

    Slide title

    David Marsh, MDWrite your caption here

    Button
  • A healthcare professional in a white coat with a red tie and University Hospitals logo, smiling against a gray background.

    Slide title

    Brett McCoy, MD

    Button
  • Headshot of a smiling person wearing glasses, a light green shirt, a patterned tie, and a dark blazer against a grey wall.

    Slide title

    William Stanfield, MD

    Button
  • A professional headshot of a person in a tan blazer, white shirt, and yellow patterned tie against a gray background.

    Slide title

    Dan Zanotti, MD

    Button
  • A professional portrait of a smiling person wearing a navy blazer, light blue shirt, and a textured olive-green tie.

    Slide title

    Robert Zanotti, MD

    Button

Recent Posts

By Karl Gerhard • October 16, 2026
Tender apple scones filled with crisp apples, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, and topped with a sweet apple cider glaze make the perfect treat for welcoming autumn.
By Laura Briedis • October 16, 2026
It’s time to refresh your color with a new hue or deeper highlight. Here’s how the team at Cory’s Hair Studio & Day Spa can help you make a change.
By Mitch Allen • October 15, 2026
Halloween is almost here, but the scariest thing this fall is overflowing gutters. Who you gonna call? The Gutter Boys.
By Mitch Allen • October 15, 2026
Frost wedging caused by winter’s freeze-thaw cycle, can cause concrete surfaces to crack and shatter. Here’s why it happens and how you can stop it with Pristine Clean.
By Patricia Nugent • October 14, 2026
Spartan StormShield takes a thoughtful approach to lasting roof care.
By Beth Newcomb • October 13, 2026
Freedom of choice when it comes to Medicare means you get to decide who supports your journey.
By Patricia Nugent • October 12, 2026
The freshly reimagined Brown Derby Wood-Fired Steakhous e sets the tone for special occasions and romantic date nights, but that’s not all this legendary restaurant has to offer.
By Mary Malik • October 12, 2026
At Haven Home Assisted Living , smaller resident numbers mean personal attention comes standard. Here’s the difference this home is making in the lives of seniors
By Patricia Nugent • October 12, 2026
Kim Haupt lost 100 pounds thanks in part to surgery, but she also lost a lot of muscle. Here’s how MaxStrength Fitness got her up and moving again, with more strength and stamina
By Patricia Nugent • October 12, 2026
After a recent bone density scan revealed positive improvement, Catherine Saluja credits the team at MaxStrength Fitness for helping her get there.

RELATED ARTICLES

By Karl Gerhard • October 16, 2026
Tender apple scones filled with crisp apples, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, and topped with a sweet apple cider glaze make the perfect treat for welcoming autumn.
By Laura Briedis • October 16, 2026
It’s time to refresh your color with a new hue or deeper highlight. Here’s how the team at Cory’s Hair Studio & Day Spa can help you make a change.
By Mitch Allen • October 15, 2026
Halloween is almost here, but the scariest thing this fall is overflowing gutters. Who you gonna call? The Gutter Boys.
By Mitch Allen • October 15, 2026
Frost wedging caused by winter’s freeze-thaw cycle, can cause concrete surfaces to crack and shatter. Here’s why it happens and how you can stop it with Pristine Clean.
By Patricia Nugent • October 14, 2026
Spartan StormShield takes a thoughtful approach to lasting roof care.
By Beth Newcomb • October 13, 2026
Freedom of choice when it comes to Medicare means you get to decide who supports your journey.
By Patricia Nugent • October 12, 2026
The freshly reimagined Brown Derby Wood-Fired Steakhous e sets the tone for special occasions and romantic date nights, but that’s not all this legendary restaurant has to offer.
By Mary Malik • October 12, 2026
At Haven Home Assisted Living , smaller resident numbers mean personal attention comes standard. Here’s the difference this home is making in the lives of seniors
By Patricia Nugent • October 12, 2026
Kim Haupt lost 100 pounds thanks in part to surgery, but she also lost a lot of muscle. Here’s how MaxStrength Fitness got her up and moving again, with more strength and stamina
By Patricia Nugent • October 12, 2026
After a recent bone density scan revealed positive improvement, Catherine Saluja credits the team at MaxStrength Fitness for helping her get there.
More Posts