Medacta Expands Scope of NextAR Shoulder Augmented Reality

Surgeons have performed the first U.S. glenoid deformity and revision shoulder arthroplasty procedures using Medacta Group SA’s NextAR Shoulder Augmented Reality (AR) application, supported by MyShoulder Planner for advanced preoperative 3D planning. The cases represent a significant expansion of the company’s technology portfolio, strengthening its footprint in the U.S. shoulder market, and solidifying its augmented reality solution as a formidable joint replacement innovation.

The integrated workflow between these technologies enables surgeons to transition from CT-based planning to real-time intraoperative execution, providing accurate AR guidance during k-wire insertion, angled reaming, implant positioning, and screw preparation, all of which are critical steps in shoulder arthroplasty, where millimeter-level accuracy can influence long-term functional outcomes.

“The incorporation of the Glenoid Reconstruction System (GRS) into the NextAR platform supports a more streamlined approach to deformity cases. Angled reaming can now be performed with high precision, and the wedged implant can be guided to match the exact location of the plan and ream, facilitating accurate seating and optimal bone contact,” said designing surgeon Mark Fitzgerald, M.D., of AdventHealth in Colorado.

Introduced in 2024, the Glenoid Reconstruction System (GRS) expands the Medacta Shoulder System with dedicated solutions for glenoid deformities and defects. The integration of GRS into the NextAR Shoulder is designed to improve procedural precision while supporting the adoption of Medacta’s latest implant innovations within a digitally enabled surgical workflow. This combination of advanced implants and AR guidance reinforces Medacta’s competitive position in the shoulder market, one of the fastest-growing and most technically demanding segments within U.S. orthopedics.

“NextAR’s updated ability to support revision shoulder arthroplasty is a meaningful advancement of the technology,” commented designer John-Erik Bell, M.D., of Dartmouth Health System in New Hampshire. “We can now plan our difficult revision cases even with in-situ implants and then precisely execute the plan using AR-assisted intraoperative computer navigation. This allows for accurate implant positioning when even a few millimeters can affect fixation and functional outcomes.”

NextAR Shoulder is powered by MyShoulder Planner, Medacta’s next-generation preoperative planning solution built to support accurate implant positioning and sizing within an efficient digital workflow. NextAR Shoulder operates within Medacta’s NextAR Augmented Reality Surgical Platform, a proprietary solution designed to advance sustainable surgical care by hosting software for multiple applications across joint replacement and spine surgery.

Both NextAR Shoulder and MyShoulder Planner are built on Medacta’s expertise in high-value enabling technologies throughout the MySolutions Personalized Ecosystem, an integrated, end-to-end platform of advanced digital solutions that support the patient clinical pathway—from education and preoperative planning to intraoperative execution and postoperative monitoring.

“The release of MyShoulder Planner allows me to move from CT scanning to planning and NextAR execution within a short time frame, typically around 15 minutes. The ability to plan cases intraoperatively and execute the plan with a high degree of precision brings significant value to my practice,” shared fellow designer Wesley Cox, M.D., of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Arkansas.

Medacta continues to invest in medical education to support the adoption of innovative technologies through tailored educational initiatives and scientific events organized by the M.O.R.E. Institute. Driven by a vision of continuous improvement through innovation, Medacta advances clinically validated solutions in shoulder surgery so patients can benefit from accurate, personalized surgical care.

Medacta designs, produces, and distributes personalized, sustainable solutions for joint replacement, sports medicine, and spine surgery. Established in 1999 in Switzerland, Medacta maintains a strong focus on healthcare sustainability. Through close collaboration with expert surgeons globally, continuous investments in R&D, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, Medacta’s innovation prioritizes minimally invasive surgery and personalized solutions. Medacta is headquartered in Castel San Pietro, Switzerland, and operates in more than 90 countries.