Introducing VELYS™ for Partial Knee Replacements with Dr. Eric Green
At St. Cloud Surgical Center, we pride ourselves on being leaders in innovation. Everything we do is state-of-the-art, from our services to the technology we use. And no one exemplifies that better than Dr. Eric Green, a veteran orthopedic surgeon whose commitment to forward-thinking care has helped shape the future of joint replacement surgery. With over three decades of experience and a reputation for precision, Dr. Green has played a critical role in developing our orthopedic surgery offerings at the center, particularly with his advocacy of the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution, a game-changing technology for total and partial knee replacements.
We sat down with Dr. Green to get the inside scoop on how robotic technology is transforming orthopedic surgery, why accuracy matters more than ever, and what it means for patients entering the operating room today.
A NEW ERA OF KNEE REPLACEMENT
St. Cloud Surgical Center has been a leader in orthopedic surgery since the early 2000s. Over the years, we’ve invested heavily in technology, training, and talent to make our Knee Replacement Program a benchmark for others to follow. Part of that commitment means staying ahead of the curve, and sometimes, helping shape the curve entirely.
A little over five years ago, Dr. Green approached our leadership team with an idea to bring in a new robotic device called the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution for total knee replacements. At the time, this technology was still in development, but Dr. Green had a unique advantage. He was one of only six orthopedic surgeons selected by Johnson & Johnson to help develop the VELYS™ system from the ground up. With his vision and drive, St. Cloud Surgical Center became one of the first facilities in the world to adopt the platform in 2022.
“The idea is to take the guesswork out of surgery,” Dr. Green explains. “We wanted a system that could consistently hit the surgical plan with unbelievable accuracy. And that’s exactly what VELYS™ does.”
So, what makes VELYS™ different?
At its core, VELYS™ uses an advanced optical camera that captures 300 images per second. This high-speed system tracks every tiny movement—from the patient’s smallest muscle twitch to their breathing and heartbeat—in real time.
“The system adapts in real time,” says Dr. Green. “It’s seamless. It allows us to operate with a level of precision we couldn’t achieve manually. With VELYS, we’re talking about 0.1 millimeters, 0.1 degrees.”
And let’s be clear: VELYS™ doesn’t replace surgeons like Dr. Green. It enhances their ability to execute an already solid plan with unmatched accuracy, offering real-time data and micro-adjustments to keep everything on track. For partial knee replacements, where preserving as much of the natural joint as possible is key, that precision matters more than ever.
In Dr. Green’s words, “It allows me to be more precise, more consistent. It helps me do what I already do well, just better.”
VELYS™ AND THE FUTURE OF PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT
As our experience with the VELYS™ Robotic-Assist Solution grew, so did its potential. After proving itself in total knee replacements, it was a natural next step to introduce VELYS™ to the world of partial knee replacements.
The partial knee replacement surgical procedure allows your surgeon to access, remove, and accurately replace only the damaged surface of your knee, leaving your healthy bone intact.
The procedure typically follows these steps:
- An incision is made to expose the joint.
- The damaged area is reshaped to fit the implant components.
- Trial components are temporarily placed to ensure proper alignment.
- Once alignment is confirmed, the final implants are secured.
- The incision is closed, and the recovery process begins.
What makes this procedure even more effective with VELYS™ is its ability to deliver robotic precision without needing a preoperative CT scan to map the surgical plan. That’s a big deal. Skipping the scan means less radiation, fewer appointments, and significant cost savings, all without compromising precision. The surgical plan is created in real time in the operating room using the system’s built-in camera and data tracking.
By removing the CT scan requirement, VELYS™ makes robotic-assisted surgery more accessible. While Minnesota requires insurance to cover pre-op scans, many states don’t, meaning patients elsewhere could be stuck with an unexpected bill. With VELYS™, more patients—regardless of insurance or geography—can access advanced, robotic-assisted surgery in a cost-effective outpatient setting.
VELYS™ is helping us bring smarter, more affordable partial knee replacements to more patients, and that’s a win all around.
LOOKING AHEAD: ROBOTICS AS THE NEW STANDARD
While Robotic-assisted surgery may make you feel a bit uneasy, it’s happening and it’s here. And if you ask Dr. Eric Green, it won’t be long before it’s standard practice everywhere because it’s just a better way of doing things.
“The accuracy, the efficiency, the outcomes. It all points to this becoming the norm,” says Dr. Green.
At St. Cloud Surgical Center, we’re choosing to set the standard so as not to be left behind. As one of the first outpatient centers in the country, we’ve always prided ourselves on our ability to provide cutting-edge, accessible care to our patients. Using robotics like VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution is just one way we do that.
Looking for real patients seeing real results? Check out this story from Jan, who shared her experience with VELYS™.To learn more about the St. Cloud Surgical Center orthopedic joint program, visit https://stcsurgicalcenter.com/procedures-specialties/joint-program/.