Michelle Reyes
Coconut Creek Resident Finds Relief with Broward Health Imperial Point’s New Mako Robotic System
New Robotic System Brings Relief
For Michelle Reyes, a Coconut Creek resident, the decision to move forward with knee surgery came after years of living with pain. The 58-year-old struggled to walk, stand at her church where she volunteers as a greeter and even to enjoy simple moments like shopping or dancing.
“My knee was bone on bone,” Michelle said. “Cortisone shots helped for a while but then stopped working. I used to think knee replacement wasn’t an option until I was much older, and that meant living with pain longer than I wanted. On top of that, I was told I needed to lose weight before I could even be considered for surgery. That was discouraging, but it also motivated me to take the first step with bariatric surgery.”
That decision changed everything. After losing 80 pounds under the care of Chi Zhang, M.D., a bariatric surgeon at Broward Health Imperial Point, Michelle became a candidate for knee replacement surgery. She turned to her longtime orthopedic surgeon, Jason Walters, M.D., who had been treating her for more than four years, and together they decided to move forward with her right knee first.
Broward Health Imperial Point is the first hospital in Broward County to acquire the latest Stryker Mako 4 robotic surgical system for total hip, total knee and partial knee procedures. The system is designed to make knee and hip surgeries more precise, personalized and less painful.
“I was nervous,” Michelle admitted. “Dr. Walters explained the robotic system, and I even went to a class to learn about it. He didn’t just say, ‘See you at the hospital.’ He made sure I understood the plan, and that gave me peace of mind.”
The Mako SmartRobotics™ system brings a new level of support to orthopedic surgery. Using a 3D CT scan, surgeons can map out a plan based on the patient’s unique anatomy before the first incision is made. In the operating room, the robotic arm offers real-time guidance, helping the surgeon stay on course while still making any adjustments needed. The goal is greater accuracy in the procedure, which can mean an easier recovery and longer-lasting results for patients.
The surgery took place in late August. Michelle spent one night at Broward Health Imperial Point and described her care team as “the best.” From nurses to physical therapists, she felt supported at every step. “Everyone was amazing. I would recommend Broward Health to anyone,” she said.
Recovery is ongoing, but Michelle has already noticed progress. She now uses a walker, attends physical therapy, does daily exercises at home and relies on a cooling system to ease discomfort. For Michelle, this milestone surgery is more than just a procedure — it’s the beginning of a return to the life she loves.
“I want to get back to dancing, to volunteering at church without pain and just being able to move again. This surgery is helping me do that.”
Broward Health Imperial Point is proud to bring the next generation of joint replacement surgery to the community. “This advanced robotic technology reflects our commitment to bringing innovative, state-of-the-art treatment options closer to home,” said Robert Dahl, CEO of Broward Health Imperial Point.
To learn more about Broward Health’s orthopedic services, visit BrowardHealth.org/Ortho.