Knee replacement surgical robot

News about your impact

A behind-the-scenes look at the procedure

April 30, 2025

Do you remember Marielle, who was operated on in March by Dr. Nguyen and the OR team with the help of this new-generation robot?

📸 Immerse yourself in our video and exclusive photo-report, captured behind the scenes of this remarkable surgery.

Photoreportage

Behind the scenes of a knee operation…

The robot is still making news!

February 14, 2025

The rollout of this new technology is still drawing media attention.
A CTV report highlighted the real benefits for patients and the expertise of our medical teams at Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne.

🎥 Watch the CTV report

The first Francophone public hospital in Québec

December 23, 2024

Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne is the first Francophone public hospital in Québec to obtain a revolutionary orthopaedic surgical robot!

This $1.2 million purchase, funded by your exceptional generosity, represents an incredible advance for knee surgery.

To learn more, read the press release.

Orthopedic surgical robot is now in action!

December 18, 2024

This marks a major turning point in orthopaedics. It was even covered by Radio-Canada!

Don’t miss the special report by Radio-Canada during the first surgery performed by Dr. Nguyen thanks to this revolutionary robot!

Thanks to the compassionate commitment of people like you, Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne continues to innovate in order to offer world-calibre ultra-specialized care.

Together, we’re advancing medicine.
Together, we’re concretely transforming the quality of care for patients.
Together, we enabling the Hospital to figure among the leading university hospitals.

We cannot thank you enough.

The wait of many patients

June 20, 2023

If you only knew… Kathleen, Denise, Suzanne and Marius are just a few of the orthopaedic patients who come into my office in tears.

I’m at the end of my rope. Both of my knees hurt. I used to be an active, fit woman. I did aquafit. I walked every day. I can’t do any of that anymore. I walk with a cane. I have trouble getting up. My ankles hurt. And my lower back hurts because my condition is deteriorating. I’m 78 years old.

Suzanne B.

I need surgery. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t live like this. I’m depressed. I’m in pain, day and night. I’m constantly falling. I’m scared of breaking my hip. I’ve been waiting for a knee replacement for over a year. I live alone. I can’t do anything anymore.

Denise V.

My arthrosis is draining me. And it deteriorated so fast. I have a very hard time walking. Sure, I do yoga and meditation, but… All my friends are sporty. I try not to think about everything I used to do and focus instead on the hope of getting my surgery done soon.

Kathleen F.

What I live with every day is unbearable. My pain never goes away. I have to take sleeping pills at night. And when I’m awake, the pain is almost always there. I’m struggling to hold on.

Marius A.

Some of them have difficulty working. Or they can’t work at all and have no way to make a living. Some suffer from depression. End up divorced. Take opioids all day.

And if we wait too long, they’ll never regain their mobility. We need to fight for them! That’s why I’m calling on you. Your donation will make a huge difference in their daily lives.

Dr. Hai Nguyen
Orthopaedic surgeon specializing in knee and hip replacement
Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne

Check out Dr. Hai Nguyen's fundraising appeal

Help patients waiting for knee replacement

Discover 4 patient testimonials

The wait of many patients

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Photo Report

Behind the scenes of a knee operation…

The long-awaited day has finally come.
At 5:30 a.m., Marielle Barrette enters Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne, accompanied by her husband. After a long two-year wait, she’s finally getting ready to have left knee surgery. Cheerful and confident, she knows it’s a special day. In a few hours, she’ll be in the hands of Dr. Nguyen’s team … and their precious robotic ally.

Step one: a human and reassuring presence.
As soon as she arrives in the operating room, Marielle is greeted by Sébastien, the OR attendant. He makes sure everything gets off to a smooth start. He gets her settled, adjusts her covers, takes the time to speak with her. Here, technology has its place. But humans are on the frontline.

Calm comes first.
Marielle is now ready and settled on the operating table. In the room, voices are low, actions confident. Preoperative preparations are underway. The team coordinates, is focused. Each member knows what they need to do. The procedure is about to begin.

Final check.
Catherine, the circulating nurse, reviews each detail with Dr. Hai Nguyen. The type of prosthesis, which side to operate on, the technique to use: everything is confirmed one last time. Taking this moment to conduct a final check is crucial—controlled calm before the action begins.

A team set for excellence.
During this time, Mélanie gets ready. She’ll be the instrument nurse and don scrubs and a ventilation mask. She’ll be in the heart of the action, making sure everything is sterile and responding to all of the surgeon’s needs. She is fully focused.

Everything has to be within reach—and absolutely sterile.
While the patient is being prepared, Mélanie and Catherine set up the surgical instruments. Each tool is handled with care, every surface is sterile. Only Mélanie, once in her scrubs and mask, can touch the equipment. This meticulous dance is part of the routine—but one that allows for no improvisation.

A final reassuring tête-à-tête.
Before the procedure starts, Sébastien comes over to Marielle. He makes sure she’s relaxed and feeling confident. She’ll receive a local anesthetic only, which means she’ll be conscious during the operation—and able to hear what’s going on around her.

Strict attention to detail.
Before a scalpel even touches her skin, Sébastien again cleans Marielle’s leg. Complete sterilization, precise movements, focused silence. The patient’s safety comes first.

The time has come.
The team is in position. Marc-Olivier, the chirurgical nurse, is set and ready to play his role at Dr. Hai Nguyen’s side. Mélanie, in the sterile zone, anticipates every move. The procedure can begin.

The first incision.
Before placing the prosthesis, Dr. Nguyen prepares the ground. He makes the first manual incisions, frees up the structures to be operated on, exposing the joint area. Every action is measured, rigorously executed. The technology is on standby. For now, the surgeon’s hand paves the way.

Two nurses, one goal: supporting precision.
Fully engaged in preparing the surgical area, Mélanie and Catherine coordinate their actions. One, in the sterile zone, works directly at the surgeon’s side. The other, outside the zone, ensures that everything is accessible and organized. It’s a finetuned choreography, where each role is vital.

Under anesthetic, but conscious.
Marielle is awake throughout the procedure. Her level of consciousness is closely monitored. Karine, the respiratory therapist adjusts each parameter—pain, sedation, vital signs. The patient is surrounded by technology, but the human team is there to ensure her safety.

The robot comes into play.
Dr. Nguyen validates the final parameters. The next incision needs to be ultra-precise, adapted to Marielle’s unique anatomy. The robot does not replace the surgeon—it provides steady guidance, ensuring precision that no human hand can match.

An expert eye to assist with the technological ally.
David, a representative from the robot’s manufacturer, is there to help. He supports the team in optimizing settings, as needed. A discreet but precious presence—as each adjustment can make a difference in the final outcome.

Mapping the knee, in real time.
On the screen, the data readjusts at each stage. The section plane is dynamic, modeled on Marielle’s unique morphology. Thanks to the robot, the surgeon can tailor each movement. This is where technology makes all the difference.

Precision comes to life.
The robot’s blade comes into play. It makes a bone cut with a precision that the human hand could never accomplish. This is the heart of this technology: guiding the human hand with extreme precision to place a perfectly aligned prothesis.

Mélanie, at the heart of the OR.
As the procedure progresses, Mélanie is there anticipating the team’s every need, providing the instruments, adjusting the operating field, responding to even the smallest requests. Her rigour, calm and coordination are vital to ensuring that everything is up to standard.

Every element is accounted for.
Catherine, outside the sterile zone, ensures control of the material. Everything is recorded, validated, and then validated again. Each compress. Each instrument. An invisible but crucial step in preventing complications after the procedure.

Waking up to … the good news.
Marielle gradually comes to. Dr. Nguyen tells her that everything went well: the surgery was a success, her new knee is in place. You can see the relief on her face.

Standing. Smiling. Relieved
Just hours after the surgery, Marielle is on her feet. She takes a few steps. She’s radiant. Two years of waiting. Relief, at last. She’s regaining her freedom—one step at a time.

Knee replacement surgical robot

News about your impact

A behind-the-scenes look at the procedure

April 30, 2025

Photoreportage​

Behind the scenes of a knee operation…

The robot is still making news!

February 14, 2025

The first Francophone public hospital in Québec

December 23, 2024

Orthopedic surgical robot is now in action!

December 18, 2024

The wait of many patients

June 20, 2023

Check out Dr. Hai Nguyen's fundraising appeal

Help patients waiting for knee replacement

Discover 4 patient testimonials

The wait of many patients

Yes! I want to support the patients at Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne.

Add impact to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter.

ADDRESS

CONTACT

Photo Report

Behind the scenes of a knee operation…

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