Greenslopes Private Hospital has become the first hospital in Brisbane to offer robotic-assisted total shoulder replacement surgery, marking another milestone in the hospital’s long history of introducing advanced surgical technology to Queensland.
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The hospital recently introduced the MAKO robotic system for shoulder replacement procedures, adding to its growing portfolio of robotic-assisted surgeries. Hospital leaders say the technology has the potential to improve surgical precision, optimise implant positioning and support personalised treatment for patients requiring shoulder replacement.
Building on a history of innovation
The latest milestone follows the hospital’s recent celebration of its 10,000th robotic-assisted surgery and builds on a legacy that began in 2008 when Greenslopes Private Hospital became the first hospital in Queensland to introduce robotic-assisted surgery.
Brisbane orthopaedic surgeon Dr Chris Conyard performed the hospital’s first robotic-assisted shoulder replacement and described the technology as an important advancement in shoulder surgery.
According to Dr Conyard, the MAKO system complements traditional planning and surgical techniques by providing highly accurate guidance throughout the procedure. He said the technology has the potential to improve implant positioning, preserve healthy bone and tissue, and enhance the execution of a patient’s individual surgical plan.
“The system enables implants to be positioned within 0.8 millimetres of the pre-operative plan and orientated within one to two degrees of the planned position, exceeding the accuracy typically achieved with conventional techniques,” Dr Conyard said.
He said shoulder replacement surgery involves a number of variables, and that robotic assistance has the potential to reduce one of them by allowing surgeons to reproduce the planned implant position with greater precision. He said the technology could improve both the short and long-term outcomes for patients undergoing shoulder replacement.
The robotic-assisted procedure follows a three-stage process. Surgeons first develop a personalised surgical plan using three-dimensional CT imaging. During the operation, the robotic system provides real-time guidance to prepare the bone and assist with implant placement, while the surgeon remains in control throughout the procedure.
Expanding access to advanced care
Greenslopes Private Hospital Chief Executive Officer Justin Greenwell said becoming the first hospital in Brisbane to offer robotic-assisted shoulder replacement reflects the hospital’s ongoing commitment to investing in advanced surgical technology.
Mr Greenwell said the achievement continues the hospital’s longstanding role in pioneering robotic-assisted surgery in Queensland. He said expanding the range of robotic procedures available enables more complex orthopaedic operations to be performed using advanced technology while giving Queensland patients access to world-class care close to home.
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The introduction of robotic-assisted shoulder replacement forms part of Ramsay Health Care’s national investment in advanced robotic surgical technology and further strengthens Greenslopes Private Hospital’s position as one of Australia’s leading centres for robotic and orthopaedic surgery.
With the number of shoulder replacements in Australia forecast to increase substantially over the coming decade, the hospital says continued investment in robotic technology will help support the future of orthopaedic surgery. For patients in Brisbane and surrounding communities, the milestone expands access to robotic-assisted shoulder replacement closer to home.
Published 2-July-2026
