08 April 2026 | News
Image Courtesy: Public Domain
Summit Health orthopedic surgeon Eric Black, MD, performed the nation’s first complete robotic-assisted shoulder replacement surgery in a freestanding ambulatory surgery center. Using the ROSA® Robotics Platform by Zimmer Biomet, Dr. Black performed a complete anatomic as well as reverse shoulder replacement using robotic assistance. The groundbreaking procedure, which occurred at Summit Atlantic Surgery Center (SASC) within the Summit Health medical facility in Florham Park on April 1, offers patients a more precise, personalized and targeted path to recovery than traditional shoulder replacement surgery.
"At Summit Health, we are committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge technology and this milestone marks a significant leap in the field of orthopedic surgery through the personalization and precision of outpatient shoulder replacement procedures," said Matthew Garberina, MD, Chief of the Department of Orthopedics at Summit Health. "We applaud Dr. Black for pioneering this innovative approach, setting a new standard for shoulder surgery in the outpatient setting."
Shoulder replacement surgery is commonly used to treat conditions such as arthritis, rotator cuff tears and joint degeneration. These procedures can greatly improve a patient’s quality of life by helping them move easier, reach and lift their arm comfortably, enjoy pain-free sleep and return to sports and other activities they enjoy.
“Robotic technology further transforms what is possible for patients undergoing a shoulder replacement because it allows us to personalize and plan the surgery with incredible accuracy,” explains Dr. Black. “It’s a huge step forward in enabling the surgeon to accurately execute a customized plan that is unique to each patient. This will likely increase consistency as well as longevity for each patient.”
The ROSA® system uses preoperative CT imaging to create a three-dimensional surgical plan tailored to the patient. During the procedure, advanced sensors and a robotic arm assist the surgeon in placing the implant with less than one millimeter of variance from the planned position. This level of precision supports improved implant fit and alignment.
“Until now, we didn’t have a way to perfectly reproduce our preoperative plans in real time on the humerus and glenoid,” Dr. Black explains. “Robotic technology brings that vision to life inside the operating room.”
Potential benefits of robotic-assisted shoulder replacement include increased surgical accuracy, improved implant positioning, greater consistency in outcomes and the ability to perform procedures in an outpatient setting. Patients may also experience shorter recovery times and reduced postoperative discomfort compared with traditional surgical approaches.
Summit Health has previously implemented robotic-assisted technology in outpatient hip and knee replacement procedures. The recent approval of robotic systems for shoulder surgery by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expanded the application of this technology to additional joint replacement procedures.
