Berkshire Medical Center is the only hospital in the region with the latest technological advance in robotic-assisted Hip & Knee surgery - the MAKO-Assisted Arthroplasty®. 

MAKO-Assisted Arthroplasty can:

• Provide your surgeon with comprehensive data about your anatomy, which may result in more exact placement of your joint replacement
• Allows the surgeon to more accurately plan for your surgery with a partial 3-dimensional model of your hip or knee
• Allows for better visualization of anatomy, which is particularly important when minimally invasive techniques are used 

Other innovations in Joint Replacement Surgery include:

Anterior Hip Replacement

The Joint Replacement Program at Berkshire Medical Center offers anterior hip replacement – the most advanced surgical procedure available for hip replacement. The anterior approach is an alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery that leaves key muscle groups surrounding the hip and thigh bones undisturbed. Therefore, the surgeon is able to work between those muscles and tissues, rather than having to detach and subject them to trauma.

Advantages of Anterior Hip Replacement

For patients, the anterior approach offers a number of potential benefits, including:

•  Less pain: The incision is smaller and is located on the front of the leg (as opposed to the rear, which is used for a posterior approach). This avoids the discomfort of sitting on the incision, as experienced with a traditional hip replacement. Also, less pain medication is required, as tissue trauma has been minimized.
  
  
• Faster recovery: This is due to the surgeon’s ability to perform the surgery without disruption of major muscles. Although each patient experiences individual differences, most people are able to bend the hip freely and put full weight on the leg immediately or soon after surgery. Most patients are able to get up and walk normal distances with the use of a cane on the day after anterior hip replacement and are ready to progress quickly with therapy.

• Lower incidence of hip replacement dislocation: This is because key muscles and supportive structures are not disrupted during surgery. Patients do not need to follow the activity restrictions required after a traditional hip replacement.

Read patient stories about anterior hip replacement here:

Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopy allows an orthopedic surgeon to diagnose and treat disorders by providing a clear view of the inside of the joint with small incisions, using a pencil-sized instrument called an arthroscope. In nearly all cases, patients are able to return home the same day as their procedure is performed.

The benefits of arthroscopic surgery include:

•  Less pain following the procedure
• Quicker recovery
• Lower risk of complications Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stay

The scope allows transmission of an image through a small camera to a television monitor. The image enables the surgeon to thoroughly examine the interior of the joint to determine the source of the problem. During the procedure, the surgeon can insert surgical instruments through other small incisions in the joint to remove or repair damaged tissues.

For an appointment, please call:
Pittsfield Office: 413-499-6600 (24 Park St.)
Great Barrington Office: 413-528-6422 (27 Lewis Avenue)
North Adams Campus of BMC: 413-499-6600 (77 Hospital Avenue)