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Queensland Robotic Surgery Pioneer Delivers Brisbane First in Robotic Shoulder Replacement

Jul 01, 2026

Fresh from celebrating 10,000 robotic-assisted surgery procedures, Greenslopes Private Hospital has achieved another milestone by becoming the first hospital in Brisbane to offer robotic-assisted total shoulder replacement surgery.

The introduction of the MAKO robotic system marks the latest chapter in Greenslopes Private Hospital's long history of surgical innovation, having become the first hospital in Queensland to introduce robotic surgery in 2008.

The breakthrough technology has the potential to deliver greater surgical precision, improve implant positioning and optimise outcomes for patients requiring shoulder replacement surgery.

Brisbane orthopaedic surgeon Dr Chris Conyard performed the hospital's first robotic-assisted shoulder replacement and said the technology represented an exciting advancement in shoulder surgery.

"The MAKO system builds on traditional planning and surgical techniques by aiming to provide highly accurate guidance throughout the procedure, allowing the potential for implants to be positioned with exceptional precision according to each patient's individual anatomy," Dr Conyard said.

"The technology has the potential to improve implant positioning, preserve healthy bone and tissue and enhance the overall execution of the surgical plan."

Dr Conyard said robotic assistance could improve both the short and long-term outcomes for patients.

"The system enables implants to be positioned within 0.08 millimetres of the pre-operative plan and orientated within one to two degrees of the planned position, exceeding the accuracy typically achieved with conventional techniques," he said.

"In shoulder replacement surgery, millimetres matter. Even very small improvements in implant positioning have the potential to make a meaningful difference to how the shoulder functions. By achieving greater precision, we're aiming to improve mobility, support faster recovery, enhance the longevity of the implant and reduce the likelihood that patients will require revision surgery in the future."

Using a three-stage process, surgeons first develop a personalised surgical plan using three-dimensional CT imaging. During surgery, the MAKO robotic system provides real-time guidance to prepare the bone and assist with implant placement, while the surgeon remains in complete control throughout the procedure.

Greenslopes Private Hospital Chief Executive Officer Justin Greenwell said the latest milestone reinforced the hospital's reputation as a leader in robotic surgery.

"Greenslopes Private Hospital has a proud history of pioneering robotic surgery in Queensland. We were the first hospital in the state to introduce robotic-assisted surgery, and recently celebrated our 10,000th robotic procedure," Mr Greenwell said.

"Becoming the first hospital in Brisbane to offer robotic-assisted shoulder replacement surgery is a natural progression of that legacy and reflects our ongoing commitment to bringing the latest surgical innovations to Queensland patients."

"By investing in advanced technologies and supporting our highly skilled surgeons, we're continuing to expand the range of complex procedures that can be performed robotically, giving patients access to world-class care close to home," he said.

With the number of shoulder replacements in Australia forecast to increase substantially over the coming decade, Greenslopes Private Hospital continues to invest in technologies that support the future of orthopaedic surgery.

The introduction of robotic-assisted shoulder replacement forms part of Ramsay Health Care's national investment in advanced robotic surgical technology and further strengthens Greenslopes Private Hospital's position as one of Australia's leading centres for robotic and orthopaedic surgery.