Medacta expands US shoulder surgery capabilities with NextAR Augmented Reality Platform

USA—Medacta Group SA has completed its first U.S. surgical cases using its NextAR Shoulder augmented reality (AR) application to treat glenoid deformities and perform revision shoulder arthroplasty.

The procedures combined AR-guided surgery with the MyShoulder Planner, a tool designed for advanced preoperative 3D planning.

This development marks a key step in expanding Medacta’s presence in the U.S. orthopedic market while advancing the use of digital technologies in complex shoulder procedures.

Integrated planning and real-time surgical guidance

The system links CT-based planning directly to intraoperative execution, allowing surgeons to follow precise, real-time guidance during critical steps such as k-wire insertion, angled reaming, implant positioning, and screw preparation.

Because even minor deviations can affect long-term outcomes, this level of accuracy is particularly important in shoulder arthroplasty.

According to Dr. Mark Fitzgerald of AdventHealth in Colorado, integrating the Glenoid Reconstruction System (GRS) into the NextAR platform simplifies the management of deformity cases.

He explained that surgeons can now perform angled reaming with greater precision while accurately positioning wedged implants to match the preoperative plan, ensuring better seating and bone contact.

Enhancing complex and revision procedures

Introduced in 2024, the Glenoid Reconstruction System expands Medacta’s shoulder portfolio by addressing complex deformities and defects.

Its integration into NextAR Shoulder enhances surgical precision and supports the adoption of newer implant technologies within a digital workflow.

Dr. John-Erik Bell of Dartmouth Health System in New Hampshire highlighted the platform’s ability to support revision shoulder arthroplasty.

He noted that surgeons can plan challenging revision cases, even with existing implants in place, and then execute those plans accurately using AR-assisted navigation.

This approach helps improve implant positioning in cases where small margins can significantly impact fixation and patient outcomes.

Streamlined workflow with MyShoulder Planner
NextAR Shoulder operates alongside MyShoulder Planner, Medacta’s preoperative planning solution designed to optimize implant sizing and positioning.

Dr. Wesley Cox of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences stated that the platform allows surgeons to move from CT imaging to planning and execution in about 15 minutes.

He added that the ability to plan cases intraoperatively and carry them out with high precision improves efficiency and clinical decision-making.

Digital ecosystem and ongoing innovation
The NextAR Shoulder application forms part of Medacta’s broader NextAR Augmented Reality Surgical Platform, which supports multiple applications across joint replacement and spine surgery.

Both NextAR Shoulder and MyShoulder Planner are integrated into the company’s MySolutions Personalized Ecosystem, a digital platform that supports the full clinical pathway from patient education and preoperative planning to surgery and postoperative monitoring.

In parallel, Medacta continues to promote the adoption of these technologies through targeted training and scientific programs led by the M.O.R.E. Institute, reinforcing its focus on innovation and precision in orthopaedic care.