Coconut Creek resident Michelle Reyes and Dr. Jason Walters. {Broward Health}
For Coconut Creek resident Michelle Reyes, years of chronic knee pain made even simple activities difficult — standing at church, shopping, and dancing became daily challenges.
“My knee was bone on bone,” said Reyes, 58. “Cortisone shots helped for a while, but then stopped working. I used to think knee replacement wasn’t an option until I was much older.”
Her journey toward relief began after she underwent bariatric surgery under the care of Dr. Chi Zhang at Broward Health Imperial Point, losing 80 pounds and becoming a candidate for knee replacement. She turned to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jason Walters, who had been treating her for more than four years, to perform the procedure.
Reyes’ operation was one of the first at Broward Health Imperial Point to use the new Stryker Mako 4 robotic surgical system, the latest generation of robotic technology for total hip, total knee, and partial knee procedures. The hospital is the first in Broward County to acquire this advanced system.
The Mako SmartRobotics system uses a 3D CT scan to create a personalized surgical plan based on each patient’s anatomy. In the operating room, a robotic arm assists the surgeon with real-time guidance, improving precision and allowing for adjustments as needed, which can lead to smoother recoveries and longer-lasting results.
“I was nervous,” Reyes said. “But Dr. Walters explained the robotic system, and I even went to a class to learn about it. He made sure I understood the plan, and that gave me peace of mind.”
After spending one night at Broward Health Imperial Point, Reyes praised her care team — from nurses to physical therapists — as “the best.” Now, she continues her recovery with daily exercises, physical therapy, and the help of a walker and cooling system.
“I want to get back to dancing, to volunteering at church without pain and just being able to move again,” she said. “This surgery is helping me do that.”
Robert Dahl, CEO of Broward Health Imperial Point, said the new robotic technology represents a milestone for the hospital. “This advanced robotic technology reflects our commitment to bringing innovative, state-of-the-art treatment options closer to home,” he said.
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