In the news
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange introduces robotic-assisted shoulder replacement designed for greater precision and faster recovery
March 2, 2026
(Pictured from left to right: Kyle Reed, scrub technician, Dr. Michael Durkin, Kinga Kasprzak, RN and Edgar Gonzalez-Marquez, surgical assistant)
LaGrange Hospital becomes first in Illinois to offer Mako robotic-assisted surgery for shoulder replacement
For people whose lives have been limited by chronic shoulder pain — from difficulty sleeping to struggling with everyday tasks — a new surgical option is now available in the western suburbs.
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange has become the first hospital in Illinois to offer Mako® robotic-assisted technology for shoulder replacement. The advanced system allows surgeons to plan and perform procedures with enhanced precision and personalization, supporting improved implant placement and the potential for smoother recovery.
The addition expands the hospital’s Center for Advanced Joint Replacement (CAJR), which already offers robotic-assisted hip and knee surgery, bringing another leading-edge orthopedic solution closer to home.
The new procedure is led by Michael Durkin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, hip and knee care. Dr. Durkin is one of a small number of physicians in the United States currently offering robotic-assisted shoulder replacement using Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics™ technology, and the first orthopedic surgeon in Illinois to utilize this technology.
Robotic-assisted shoulder replacement combines CT-based 3D planning with real-time guidance in the operating room. Before surgery, a detailed scan creates a personalized surgical plan based on the patient’s unique anatomy. During the procedure, the Mako system provides visualization and precision guidance, helping surgeons accurately position implants for optimal fit and alignment.
“Even small variations in implant placement can affect how a shoulder functions over time,” said Dr. Durkin. “This technology helps us execute a highly personalized surgical plan with a level of accuracy that supports better movement and long-term durability.”
He also noted benefits for recovery. “Because robotic-assisted technology allows us to work with greater precision, we can better protect surrounding tissues,” Durkin said. “That can translate into less postoperative pain and a faster return to daily activities for many patients.”
Patients who may benefit from shoulder replacement include those experiencing severe arthritis, irreparable rotator cuff tears or chronic shoulder pain that limits daily activities or disrupts sleep. CAJR’s orthopedic specialists provide comprehensive evaluations to determine candidacy and develop personalized treatment plans.
“The robotic program built at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange allows surgeons to use technology typically found at major academic medical centers directly into our community hospital,” Dr. Durkin said.
Breanna Garrett, executive director of Orthopedics at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, said bringing Mako technology to La Grange reflects a deliberate investment in expanding advanced care locally, so patients don’t have to travel far for leading-edge treatment.
“Shoulder pain can affect every part of a person’s life, including work, sleep and activities they enjoy most,” Garrett said. “By bringing Mako technology for shoulder replacement to La Grange, we’re expanding access to care that helps restore mobility and confidence. Our goal is not only to relieve pain, but to help patients move toward healing and a renewed sense of wholeness — close to home.”
For more information about shoulder replacement options, including Mako SmartRobotics, or to learn more about orthopedic services at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, visit ChicagolandOrthoExperts.com or call 855-206-2538.
Dr. Durkin is the First Surgeon to Commercially Implant MISHA® in Illinois!
Westmont, IL - November 3, 2025
A New Way to Treat Knee Pain - Now Available at Salt Creek Surgery Center Groundbreaking Implantable Shock Absorber provides a joint-preserving alternative for active patients not ready for total knee replacement.
Dr. Durkin and Salt Creek Surgery Center have announced successfully performed its first implantation of the MISHA® Knee System, a first-of-its-kind breakthrough for patients suffering from medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). The MISHA Knee System is designed to reduce the daily physical toll on the knee joint, offering rapid relief while preserving the patient’s natural anatomy.
Knee osteoarthritis affects more than 15 million (1) Americans and can make everyday activities painful and difficult. While many patients try non-surgical treatments such as medications, injections, or physical therapy, these options don’t always provide enough relief. At the same time, some patients are not ready for—or do not want—a knee replacement (2), leaving them with ongoing pain and limited mobility.
The MISHA Knee System offers a treatment option for these patients, including those covered by Medicare. This less-invasive approach is designed to reduce knee pain and help patients return to the activities they enjoy.
The MISHA Knee System works like a car shock absorber, reducing the peak forces on your painful knee joint while walking, running, or simply standing. Key benefits from the clinical data (3) include:
- Significant Pain Relief
- Rapid Recovery
- No Activity Restrictions
Dr. Durkin and Salt Creek Surgery Center are proud to be at the forefront of orthopedic innovation, offering this innovative treatment to Illinois residents who are ready to move past the pain but are not yet ready for a total knee replacement.
For more information about the MISHA Knee System or to schedule a consultation, please visit chicagokneesurgery.com or call 630-323-6116.
About Salt Creek Surgery Center - 530 N Cass Ave, Westmont, IL 60559
Salt Creek Surgery Center (SCSC) is an orthopedic outpatient surgical facility that provides advanced, patient-focused care using the latest medical technology and minimally invasive techniques. The center specializes in orthopedics, sports medicine, out-patient joint replacements, podiatry, and pain management where patients can go home the same day.
- Arthritis By The Numbers
- Gillian A. Hawker, James G. Wright, Elizabeth M. Bradley, Peter C. Coyte. Toronto Arthroplasty Health Services Research Consortium 2004. 3.Data on file, Moximed.
76-Year-Old Burr Ridge Golfer Feels Better These Days
Burr Ridge resident John Brockob has long liked to golf, but a bad knee was interfering with the game.
He managed the condition for a time with ibuprofen, but the pain escalated after a fall during a game, according to a news release from UChicago Medicine AdventHealth.
Dr. Michael Durkin told Brockob that he would know when he was ready for knee replacement surgery, the release said. After a couple of years, Brockob was ready.
