UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange introduces robotic-assisted shoulder replacement designed for greater precision and faster recovery

For people whose lives have been limited by chronic shoulder pain — from difficulty sleeping to struggling with everyday tasks — a new surgical option is now available in the western suburbs.

UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange has become the first hospital in Illinois to offer Mako® robotic-assisted technology for shoulder replacement. The advanced system allows surgeons to plan and perform procedures with enhanced precision and personalization, supporting improved implant placement and the potential for smoother recovery.

The addition expands the hospital’s Center for Advanced Joint Replacement (CAJR), which already offers robotic-assisted hip and knee surgery, bringing another leading-edge orthopedic solution closer to home.

The new procedure is led by Michael Durkin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, hip and knee care. Dr. Durkin is one of a small number of physicians in the United States currently offering robotic-assisted shoulder replacement using Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics™ technology, and the first orthopedic surgeon in Illinois to utilize this technology.

Robotic-assisted shoulder replacement combines CT-based 3D planning with real-time guidance in the operating room. Before surgery, a detailed scan creates a personalized surgical plan based on the patient’s unique anatomy. During the procedure, the Mako system provides visualization and precision guidance, helping surgeons accurately position implants for optimal fit and alignment.

“Even small variations in implant placement can affect how a shoulder functions over time,” said Dr. Durkin. “This technology helps us execute a highly personalized surgical plan with a level of accuracy that supports better movement and long-term durability.”

He also noted benefits for recovery. “Because robotic-assisted technology allows us to work with greater precision, we can better protect surrounding tissues,” Durkin said. “That can translate into less postoperative pain and a faster return to daily activities for many patients.”

Patients who may benefit from shoulder replacement include those experiencing severe arthritis, irreparable rotator cuff tears or chronic shoulder pain that limits daily activities or disrupts sleep. CAJR’s orthopedic specialists provide comprehensive evaluations to determine candidacy and develop personalized treatment plans.

“The robotic program built at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange allows surgeons to use technology typically found at major academic medical centers directly into our community hospital,” Dr. Durkin said.

Breanna Garrett, executive director of Orthopedics at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, said bringing Mako technology to La Grange reflects a deliberate investment in expanding advanced care locally, so patients don’t have to travel far for leading-edge treatment.

“Shoulder pain can affect every part of a person’s life, including work, sleep and activities they enjoy most,” Garrett said. “By bringing Mako technology for shoulder replacement to La Grange, we’re expanding access to care that helps restore mobility and confidence. Our goal is not only to relieve pain, but to help patients move toward healing and a renewed sense of wholeness — close to home.”

For more information about shoulder replacement options, including Mako SmartRobotics, or to learn more about orthopedic services at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, visit ChicagolandOrthoExperts.com or call Call855-206-2538.