After spending over four decades in operating rooms across the Lower Mainland, Maureen Coutts never imagined she’d return to one, this time as a patient. On April 24, 2025, the retired nurse became the first person in Western Canada to receive a total hip replacement assisted by the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgical System at Burnaby Hospital.
“I’ve seen so much innovation over the years that helps patients,” said Maureen, who worked at Vancouver General, Delta, Surrey Memorial, and Peace Arch Hospitals. “I just never imagined I would be the recipient of it.”
Maureen, 71, had endured years of excruciating pain after her hip joint deteriorated to the point where bone was grinding on bone. She walked in agony with a limp that made her look, she said, “like a demented penguin.” Retiring in 2018, even the simple joy of taking her granddaughter to the park had become impossible.
That changed with the help of a $2.3-million surgical robot funded by Burnaby Hospital Foundation and community donors. The Mako system, guided by pre-operative CT scans, allows surgeons to create a personalized 3D surgical plan. During the procedure, the robotic arm assists with extreme precision in preparing the joint, helping maintain critical anatomical features like leg length and hip geometry.
“The robotic-assisted system brings more precision to total joint replacement,” says Dr. Tim Kostamo, Division Head of Orthopedics at Burnaby Hospital. “There is a better match between the implant and the patient’s anatomy.”
Maureen’s case marked a major milestone for Burnaby Hospital, which had already performed more than 100 robotic-assisted knee replacements since adopting the Mako system in early 2024. Now, with the first hip replacement completed, the orthopedic team has reported a 15% improvement in implant placement precision, improved range of motion, and shorter recovery times.
The journey to bring Mako to Burnaby was years in the making. Driven by a desire to push surgical outcomes to new heights, Dr. Kostamo visited five hospitals across the United States to evaluate robotic systems before selecting Mako for its robust clinical data and proven accuracy. He credits the Burnaby Hospital Foundation with being instrumental in turning vision into reality.
“Everything moves slowly in our health-care system, when you want any change,” he said with a rueful chuckle. “There were a lot of meetings. … Our hospital foundation was amazing. I met with them, like, once, and they’re like, ‘yes, we’ll do it.’ Our community donors were super behind it.
Though powerful, the robotic system doesn’t replace the surgical team. It assists in five of the 140 steps involved in a joint replacement, such as socket reaming but can’t move the patient, open the wound, or make real-time clinical decisions.
That craft was on full display the day of Maureen’s surgery, performed by a highly coordinated team including Dr. Kostamo’s longtime surgical assistant, a retired orthopedic surgeon who once taught him joint replacement techniques. “It’s like a dance. We know each other’s moves,” he said.
One month after surgery, Maureen is walking without assistance, climbing stairs, and looking forward to sunny strolls with her granddaughter.
“My granddaughter asked me if we would be walking to the park without my cane this summer and I told her, ‘Absolutely,’” says Maureen. “I’m doing what I need to do to recover, and the rest is just the tincture of time.”
Burnaby Hospital’s leap into robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery not only improves patient care but also represents a triumph of teamwork, innovation, and community support.
“Robotic-assisted surgery is a game changer for the way orthopedic surgeries are performed at Burnaby Hospital,” says Burnaby Hospital Foundation president & CEO, Kristy James. “We are grateful to our donors who give so generously to fund advancements in health care in our community.”
To learn more about Burnaby Hospital Foundation’s Bright Future campaign or to contribute, visit bhfoundation.ca/brightfuture.
About Burnaby Hospital Foundation
Burnaby Hospital Foundation is the philanthropic organization supporting Burnaby Hospital, which serves over half a million people in Burnaby, East Vancouver, and surrounding communities. Established in 1982, the Foundation raises funds for advanced medical equipment, healthcare technologies, and crucial patient care services. For more information or to make a donation, visit bhfoundation.ca or call 604.431.2881.
