Italian hospitals roll out minimally invasive orthopedic navigation

Rome's Sant'Andrea Hospital has begun using a minimally invasive technique for osteoarthritis treatment, promoted by interventional radiologist Aleksejs Zolovkins. The procedure, modeled on Japanese surgery, aims to lower surgical trauma, reduce postoperative pain and speed up patient recovery, though long‑term effectiveness remains under study.

In Viterbo, the Santa Rosa Hospital (with plans to extend to Tarquinia) has installed a computer‑assisted navigation system for hip and knee replacement surgeries. Acquired for €280,000, the system guides surgeons in real time, improving implant alignment, reducing invasiveness, blood loss and recovery time. Orthopedic unit director Fabrizio Lucarini highlighted the technology's potential to increase prosthesis longevity and patient outcomes.

Both initiatives reflect a broader push in Italy to adopt advanced, less invasive orthopedic solutions that could ease pressure on the health system and improve quality of life for thousands of arthritis patients.