DURANGO, COLO. (July 27, 2026) – CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital is proud to announce it is among the first in the Four Corners Region to offer robot-assisted shoulder surgery, with the first patient scheduled for the cutting-edge procedure on July 29.
This groundbreaking technology is currently in a Limited Market Release (LMR) in the U.S. and is set to transform the way reverse shoulder surgery (primary joint replacement) is performed. The robotic technology for shoulder repair is designed to streamline workflows, simplify complex clinical tasks, and empower surgeons with enhanced confidence in executing their surgical plan. This advanced system elevates surgeon control and optimizes implant placement. Its features allow for a customized experience and an intuitive workflow, improving precision as well as patient outcomes.
"We are very excited to bring this cutting-edge technology to Mercy Hospital and our community," said Dr. Matthew Smith, an orthopedic surgeon at Mercy Hospital. “Using robotic technology, coupled with blueprint, planning technology, I am able to utilize a three-dimensional model of the patient's shoulder to create a unique plan personalized to the individual that can be more precisely executed in the operating room. This produces more accurate implant placement, allowing reproducible outcomes and improvement in patient’s symptoms”
Robot-assisted surgery has demonstrated enhanced outcomes such as less pain and shorter recovery times for total hip, total knee, and partial knee replacement patients as compared to manual surgery, helping patients return to the daily activities they love. The new technology at Mercy Hospital brings this same level of precision and personalized care to shoulder replacement.
Mercy Hospital is committed to providing the most advanced and effective treatments available, and the addition of robotic technology for shoulder surgery underscores this commitment. The advancement will help Mercy Hospital meet the growing demand for shoulder replacement, which is often considered when patients suffer from chronic or debilitating shoulder pain caused by conditions such as arthritis and torn rotator cuffs.
Learn more about the advanced orthopedics services and treatment options at Mercy Hospital and CommonSpirit Mercy Orthopedics Associates.
Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its integrated health services. As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, CommonSpirit Health delivers more than 20 million patient encounters annually through more than 2,300 clinics, care sites and 137 hospital-based locations, in addition to its home-based services and virtual care offerings. CommonSpirit has more than 155,000 employees, 45,000 nurses and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across 24 states and contributes more than $4 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and unreimbursed government programs. Together with our patients, physicians, partners, and communities, we are creating a more just, equitable, and innovative healthcare delivery system. Learn more at commonspirit.org.