Robotic Knee Surgery Offers Faster Recovery, Local Access

Denny Ehrichs, a community paramedic, recently found himself on the receiving end of care after years of knee pain due to arthritis and a previous injury. When cortisone shots stopped providing relief, he turned to orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Matthew Nelsen for a total knee replacement — one of the first at Perham Health to be performed using the new ROSA® Knee robotic system.

“I’d had one knee done over a decade ago, and I swore I’d never do it again,” Denny said. “This time was completely different. The whole process was smooth, well-organized, and the care team was incredible.”

One key difference in his second knee replacement: Dr. Nelsen used the ROSA Knee System. This robotic assistant helps with planning and precision during surgery, a new orthopedic surgical tool at Perham Health. Dr. Nelsen has been using the robot for the past five years in Fargo.

“The robot gives us real-time feedback during the procedure,” explained Dr. Nelsen. “We place small pins with trackers on the femur and tibia and register several anatomical points in the knee. The robot builds a 3D map that helps us fine-tune the surgical plan based on that patient’s unique anatomy and joint function.”

According to Dr. Nelsen, the robot isn’t performing the surgery — the surgeon is still in control. “It’s not making the cuts. It helps us guide our tools with more accuracy, especially in cases with knee deformities, like Denny’s. The robot helped us make the necessary adjustments precisely.”

Not all patients are ideal candidates for robotic-assisted surgery. Dr. Nelsen noted, “It’s a decision based on the complexity of the case and the patient’s preferences. But for knees like Denny’s, the robot can really make a difference.”

Dr. Nelsen added, “We’re glad to offer this technology here. For the right patients, ROSA® gives us a new level of precision. And when recovery goes well, that’s the best outcome for everyone.”

For Denny, that difference was apparent almost immediately. “Dr. Nelsen asked me after surgery how it compared to the first time,” Denny recalled. “And I said, ‘It’s the difference between night and day.’ My recovery has been faster, and the pain is more manageable.”

Following surgery, Denny worked with physical therapist Pete Anderson, DPT, at Perham Health’s Nelsen Therapy Center. “The biggest difference that we see with the robotic-assisted knee replacements is on the front end of rehab. They can progress more quickly if there isn’t as much swelling, and they can achieve their range of motion earlier,” explains Pete.

Denny’s recovery has been exceptional,” Pete said. “We’ve seen faster range of motion gains, less swelling, and an overall quicker return to function compared to a standard knee replacement. Denny is a hard worker.”

Pete explained that early progress can be a significant advantage. “Achieving range of motion early on sets the tone for the entire rehab process. It makes walking, climbing stairs, and returning to normal life that much easier.”

Denny says. “You have to do the work. Physical therapy isn’t just the two days a week you go in. You’ve got to walk, stretch, and keep at it at home too. The robot helped, but the effort matters.”

With five weeks of therapy behind him and a strong recovery underway, Denny says he’d recommend robotic-assisted knee surgery to others — especially when they can stay close to home.

Bringing the ROSA Knee System to the community demonstrates Perham Health’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art care for patients. Denny agrees, “To have this done locally in Perham was just the best. Great care, excellent communication, and no long drives for the surgery or to therapy. It made a hard thing a lot easier.”