Modern surgical technology – already in use at Gijos Clinics

The VELYS™ robotic system, developed in the United States and implemented at Gijos Clinics, has opened new possibilities for knee replacement procedures. This smart system scans the patient’s knee and creates a detailed 3D anatomical map, allowing the surgeon to accurately assess joint axes, angles, and their relationship with surrounding soft tissues. This enables optimal implant positioning, precise planning of bone cuts, and greater stability throughout the procedure. Importantly, robotic technology is not autonomous – it functions as an advanced assisting tool in the surgeon’s hands. The surgeon remains in full control and makes all final decisions, ensuring maximum safety. According to orthopedic trauma surgeon Dr. Linas Zeniauskas, the robotic system acts as a “third eye,” providing a detailed real-time 3D view of the joint and allowing procedures to be planned with millimeter-level precision.

Orthopaedic surgeon Linas Zeniauskas

Personalised treatment and faster recovery

Robot-assisted operations are characterised by individual adaptation and less intervention into surrounding tissues. According to international studies, robotic navigation allows more precise control of cutting boundaries and preservation of more healthy tissue. This results in less postoperative pain and is therefore associated with faster healing and quicker rehabilitation.

“Personalised implantation of knee joint endoprosthesis components with the help of a robot allows for the restoration of natural joint biomechanics (kinematics) and movements for each patient individually, reducing the likelihood of complications and thus ensuring better clinical and functional results in the long term. For example, if a patient’s knee joint deformity is not severe and the joint has healthy collateral ligaments, when performing knee joint replacement with robotic assistance, there is no need to perform collateral ligament balancing, as would be the case in conventional joint replacement,” notes orthopaedic surgeon Aurimas Širka, PhD, and adds:

“The articular surfaces of the bones forming the knee joint are prepared before implantation with the help of a robot, performing extremely precise bone cuts with accuracy reaching up to 0.5 mm. Therefore, today, due to the increasing popularity of robotic knee surgery, we can position the knee implant according to the patient’s individual anatomy, thereby extending the lifespan of the implant itself and reducing the risk of revision (repeat) surgery.”

Orthopaedic surgeon Aurimas Širka at Gijos klinikos

For these reasons, mobility is regained faster and it is easier to return to normal activities. Patients begin walking without assistive devices sooner, can climb stairs or get into a car without pain, regain confidence in their abilities, the range of motion increases and movements become more natural.

It is important to emphasise that proper rehabilitation also has a significant impact on the success of the operation. In each case, it is individual and depends on many factors such as the patient’s age, physical condition, etc. Active patient participation, consistent adherence to doctors’ recommendations, physiotherapy and rehabilitation plans help achieve optimal results.

Most patients stand up and begin early postoperative rehabilitation on the same day after surgery, and can engage in light physical activities such as yoga, golf or swimming after about 6 weeks.

The most common reasons for knee joint replacement

Knee joint replacement surgery is most often performed due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, injuries or damage caused by other joint diseases, which lead to severe pain, reduced mobility and lower quality of life. Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic degenerative joint disease, during which the articular cartilage protecting bone surfaces deteriorates. As the disease progresses, significant discomfort appears, limiting daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs or even standing up.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 500 million people worldwide experience symptoms of osteoarthritis. In Lithuania, about 30% of people over the age of 65 suffer from this disease. Although osteoarthritis is more commonly diagnosed in older people, over time the disease is affecting younger individuals.

“Many people have unfounded fears and unnecessarily endure meaningless pain. Patients often ask whether they are too young for joint replacement,” says orthopaedic traumatologist L. Zeniauskas, adding: “In my practice, the youngest patient whose knee joint I replaced was 24 years old.” When conservative treatment – medication, physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises – does not help, knee joint replacement surgery becomes an effective solution. About 4,000 such procedures are performed annually in Lithuania, and their number is gradually increasing. Most patients, after successful rehabilitation, regain mobility, get rid of pain and return to an active life.

Kaunas – a growing centre of medical tourism in Europe

The implementation of robotic technologies strengthens Lithuania’s position as a country capable of offering the most advanced treatment methods in the international market. This is particularly important in the context of medical tourism, when patients from abroad are looking for the highest quality treatment at a competitive price.

“It is encouraging that due to the high level of medicine and numerous positive patient experiences, Kaunas is becoming an important centre of medical tourism in Europe, attracting more and more patients from abroad each year – from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and other countries,” says Rasa Petrikienė, Head of Strategy and Development at Gijos Clinics.

The medicine of the future – a partnership between humans and technology

The development of robotic surgery marks a new stage in orthopaedics and in medicine as a whole. Technological progress is creating a new model of collaboration in which artificial intelligence and robotics complement human capabilities. Healthcare is increasingly based on a partnership between humans and technology.

“Modern medicine is inseparable from continuous innovation and professional development. In order to fully meet the needs of modern individuals, it is necessary not to stop at achieved results, but to continue moving forward in step with global innovations. Our goal is to offer patients the most advanced treatment available at the present time,” states R. Petrikienė.

This article was originally published on lrytas.lt on 22 April 2026 and can be found here.