The Ultimate Knee Replacement Experience Comes to Gardnerville

Carson Valley Health offers new robotics-assisted surgical option  

Carson Valley Health reached a significant milestone in July 2025 when Nicholas Dirig, DO performed the first total knee replacement surgery using the CORI Surgical System.   

“The CORI Surgical System is an amazing tool to have in my tool bag. My patients do better, quicker. Their physical therapists can tell when a knee replacement is done using CORI.” Nicholas Dirig, D.O. said. 

 The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates knee replacement surgeries are expected to increase a staggering 180% between now and 2030 in United States¹.

Robotics-assisted knee replacement surgery using the CORITM Surgical System combined with the features and benefits of Smith+Nephew’s implant portfolio can lead to the following patient benefits: 

• Quicker, smoother recovery² 

• Regain function faster and return home sooner³ 

• A unique plan: We use 3D digital modeling to get a surgical plan customized to the patients’ unique anatomy. This means our surgeon can perform the procedure more accurately than traditional knee replacement surgery.^4,5  

• A natural fit: Using these technologies patients can keep more of their natural bone and ligaments, including the ACL. ⁶ That helps maintain more of a natural rhythm and step.⁷  

• A wide selection: Our surgeon is able to choose from the widest selection of implants available, so implants can be precision-matched to feel more like a patient’s own knee. 

To find out if you are a candidate for robotics-assisted knee replacement surgery using the CORI system consult with your orthopedic surgeon. Visit https://carsonvalleyhealth.org/services/surgical-services/ to learn more about choosing Carson Valley Health for your surgery.

References 

1. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Projected volume of primary and revision total joint replacement in the U.S. 2030 to 2060. https://aaos-annualmeeting-presskit.org/2018/research-news/sloan_tjr/. Updated March 6,2018.  Accessed August 5, 2020. 
2. Based on JOURNEY II family of implants. Mayman DJ, Patel AR, Carroll KM. Hospital related clinical and economic outcomes of a bicruciate knee system in total knee arthroplasty patients. Poster presented at: ISPOR Symposium; May 19-23, 2018; Baltimore, Maryland, USA. 
3. Based on UKA surgery. Shearman AD, et al. EKS Arthroplasty Conference. May 2-3, 2019; Valencia, Spain. 
4. Batailler C, White N, Ranaldi FM, Neyret P, Servien E, Lustig S. Improved implant position and lower revision rate with robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthros. 2019;27(4):1232-1240 
5. Gregori A, Picard F, Lonner JH, Smith JR, Jaramaz B. Accuracy of Imageless Robotically Assisted Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty. International Society for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS) 15th Annual Meeting;2015; Vancover, Canada 
6. Combination of CORI along with the JOURNEY II XR 
7. Pritchett JW. Patients prefer a bicruciate-retaining or the medial pivot total knee prosthesis. J Arthroplasty. 2011;26(2):224-228 
   00225 V3 JOURNEY II Design Rationale 11/17 
   06791 V1 JOURNEY II XR Design Rationale 10/17 

Not all patients are candidates for the Smith+Nephew knee products. Knee replacement surgery is intended to relieve knee pain and improve knee functions. Implants may not produce the same feel or function as your original knee, and individual results will vary. Potential risks include loosening, wear and infection that may result in the need for additional surgery. Discuss your condition and implant options with your surgeon. The information listed on this press release is for informational purposes and is not meant as medical advice. For more information, please talk to your surgeon or visit www.RediscoverYourGo.com  

CORI and JOURNEY II XR are trademarks of Smith+Nephew. Certain marks registered with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.