Yenepoya Specialty Hospital has become the first medical institution in South Asia to introduce the SkyWalker Orthopedic Robotic System for knee replacement surgery, in collaboration with the US headquartered MicroPort Orthopedics. The launch reinforces Yenepoya’s leadership in adopting advanced technologies to enhance patient care.
The SkyWalker Orthopedic Robotic System is the only robotic platform worldwide designed specifically to work with the Evolution Medial-Pivot Knee System. Together, they enable accuracy and sub-millimeter precision in knee joint alignment as per the specific anatomy and functional needs of the patient, providing personalized outcomes and remarkable improvement in stability and function, leading to faster recovery, long-term durability and a natural feeling knee during daily chores and activities, including long walks that do not strain the quadriceps as much and climbing stairs and deep flexion that feel stable.
“Yenepoya has always been committed to integrating innovations that make a real difference for our patients,” said Dr Muhammad Thahir, medical director, Yenepoya Specialty Hospital. “The launch of SkyWalker is another milestone in our pursuit of clinical excellence, and we are proud to be the first to bring this technology to India and South Asia.”
Dr Deepak Rai, chief orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon at Yenepoya, performed India’s first SkyWalker procedures. He noted, “The SkyWalker robotic system gives us real-time data for joint line reconstruction and ligament balancing, while the patented medial-pivot design of Evolution mimics the knee’s natural motion. In our initial cases, we are already seeing smoother recoveries, better range of motion and excellent functional outcomes.”
Globally, the adoption of robotic systems in orthopedics has surged. In the United States, more than 40% of knee replacement surgeries are now performed robotically, a number projected to rise steadily. Robotics offer higher accuracy, lower revision rates, and faster rehabilitation — benefits that patients in India will now experience first-hand at Yenepoya.
Dr Mukesh Parmar, senior director and general manager, South Asia, MicroPort Orthopedics, said, “The choice of implant is as critical as the robotic platform itself, because it stays with the patient for life. The Evolution Medial-Pivot Knee has shown 95% patient satisfaction, 98.8% survivorship at 17 years, and nearly 80% Forgotten Joint Scores worldwide. When paired with SkyWalker, it creates a powerful combination that empowers surgeons and delivers customized and consistently favorable patient outcomes. We are excited to launch this system at an esteemed center like Yenepoya and together setting a new benchmark in line with global standards for orthopedic care in the region.”
