Nearly 95% of University of Vermont Health-Central Vermont Medical Center patients have experienced faster recovery times for orthopedic procedures since robotic-assisted surgery was introduced last year.

Using a detailed 3D model of the patient’s anatomy, the Mako robot guides the surgeon’s hand during joint-replacement procedures, helping minimize tissue damage and improve recovery times. The robot arm does not work independently — it is fully controlled by the surgeon.

“The Mako gives me a tool to more accurately measure the patient’s anatomy and alignment,” says orthopedic surgeon Sara Graves, MD, MS. “It helps deliver predictable results patients can count on to help them be more active with less pain.”

Some patients who previously underwent manual joint replacement have noted significantly quicker recovery with robotic-assisted surgery. The personalized surgical plan enabled by the Mako system also improves implant positioning and alignment, which may lead to longer-lasting joint replacements and fewer revision surgeries. Central Vermont Medical Center is also the only hospital in Vermont offering the Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration (BEAR) procedure — which allows the body to heal its own ACL tear rather than replacing the torn ligament with donor or tissue from the patient’s body. Orthopedic surgeon J.P. Begly, MD, has performed the procedure on 33 patients.

“The BEAR procedure holds some distinct advantages over traditional ACL reconstruction,” says Dr. Begly. It’s a valuable tool when talking to patients about treatment options.” Across the U.S., more than two million joint replacements are performed annually. As of 2025, only three hospitals in Vermont use the Mako robot — including Central Vermont Medical Center and University of Vermont Medical Center.

“No two patients are the same, and part of our job is working with a patient, trying to find the best option for them and for their goals and their life,” says Dr. Begly.