Tell us a little about yourself!

Hello, I’m Dr. Justin Chang, and I’m an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Humber River Health, specialized in robotic hip and knee surgeries.

How did you get into robotic surgery?

As we move into the future, robotic surgery is going to become more and more commonplace. After my residency, I knew I wanted to learn the new techniques our colleagues overseas are using, which is how I ended up in my robotics fellowship in the UK. I was able to work with a surgeon who was pioneering robotics in London with the goal of bringing my new skills back home.

“Knee replacements were traditionally performed by trying to align everything perfectly straight. But we’ve learned that we get the best results by recreating people’s unique anatomy. ROSA allows us to do that accurately.” says Dr. Chang.

What sets Humber’s Robotic Surgery Program apart from other hospitals?

We believe in innovation and we are willing to try new technologies with the goal of improving patient outcomes. This is only made possible thanks to the strong support of our donors and our administration.

Humber was the first in Toronto to acquire the ROSA Knee System – and now we have two, which has doubled our robotic knee capacity! Introducing Intellijoint HIP in 2022 was another first in Canada.

These technologies allow us to try to optimize patient outcomes. Most of our robotic hip and knee patients go home same day.

How has the ROSA Knee System revolutionized Total Knee Replacement?

I use the ROSA Knee System to personalize the total knee replacement plan for each patient and execute that plan precisely.

Knee replacements were traditionally performed by trying to align everything perfectly straight. But we’ve learned that we get the best results by recreating people’s unique anatomy. ROSA allows us to do that accurately.

We begin the surgery by putting trackers into the femur and tibia. The robot knows exactly where the knee is spatially, and tracks exactly where cuts should be, so we’re minimizing soft tissue dissection and insuring accurate positioning.

ROSA provides us with invaluable intraoperative data that allows us to optimize the position of the components for each patient. I’m grateful we get to do this, and that ongoing support is ensuring we can continue to operate our program.

“ROSA provides us with invaluable intraoperative data that allows us to optimize the position of the components for each patient,” says Dr. Chang. “I’m grateful we get to do this, and that ongoing support is ensuring we can continue to operate our program.”

How do you use Intellijoing HIP in Hip Replacement Surgeries?

Just like with knee replacements, placing a hip implant in the correct position personalized to an individual patient’s anatomy is very important in getting the very best results for our patients, and Intellijoint allows us to do that.

We use Intellijoint by attaching a camera to the patient and a tracker to the insertion handle, so that when we are placing an implant in the hip socket, we can measure the exact angles.

We are also able to use Intellijoint to map out a plan using the X-rays taken before an operation, which replaces routine X-ray use during the operation, helping us reduce radiation for both the patient and the team.

What do you love about your job?

I love that I can make a tangible difference to someone’s quality of life. We’re not only helping people return to walking pain free but to the activities they love – skiing, swimming, sports. Our patients are living younger and remaining active later in life. It means a lot to me that I get to help people achieve those goals.

Expanding Robotic Surgery

Humber River Hospital is at the forefront of surgical innovation in Canada and with donor support, our Robotic Surgery Program can continue to make a difference. To learn more, please contact Caterina Magisano at cmagisano@hrh.ca