Key Takeaways
- ARVIS® (Augmented Reality Visualization and Information System) uses cutting-edge augmented reality to enhance precision during total knee replacement surgery.
- This technology provides real-time, hands-free guidance, helping surgeons align and balance the knee joint with exceptional accuracy.
- ARVIS® and the Enovis EMPOWR 3D Knee® System work together to support precise implant placement, promote natural knee motion, and enhance overall surgical outcomes.
- Dr. Benjamin Torrez and Torrez Orthopedics use ARVIS® to bring advanced, personalized knee replacement care to patients in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and across Cedar Valley. Schedule a consultation today to experience next-level orthopedic innovation.
What Is ARVIS® Technology?
The Augmented Reality Visualization and Information System (ARVIS®) represents a new generation of surgical innovation designed to elevate precision in total knee replacement procedures.
Developed by Enovis, ARVIS® integrates augmented reality with intelligent surgical navigation. This allows orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Benjamin Torrez to visualize bone alignment, implant placement, and soft tissue balance in real time, directly in their field of view. Unlike traditional navigation systems that rely on large consoles or fixed cameras, ARVIS® is fully wearable. The surgeon dons a lightweight headset that overlays detailed digital visuals onto the operative field, providing precise data on implant alignment, bone angles, and soft tissue balance.
The result? A streamlined, patient-focused approach that enhances both accuracy and efficiency.
How Augmented Reality Enhances Knee Replacement Surgery
Real-Time Surgical Precision
During surgery, the ARVIS® headset projects digital overlays directly into the surgeon’s field of vision. This means Dr. Torrez can perform delicate alignment and balancing tasks without ever looking away from the patient, maintaining focus and control throughout the operation.
By integrating this visual data in real time, ARVIS® helps ensure the knee implant is placed with millimeter-level accuracy, a critical factor in achieving smooth motion, balanced joint forces, and long-term implant stability.
Hands-Free Guidance
Traditional computer-assisted systems often require a secondary technician or multiple monitors. ARVIS® eliminates that complexity. The hands-free interface allows the surgeon to adjust, measure, and confirm positions using intuitive gestures or voice commands, maintaining a sterile, distraction-free workflow.
This seamless integration helps minimize surgical time while improving overall consistency across procedures.
Enhanced Outcomes for Patients
Better precision translates directly into better outcomes. With ARVIS®, patients benefit from:
- More natural movement due to precise implant alignment
- Reduced risk of soft tissue imbalance
- Less post-surgical pain and faster functional recovery
- Improved long-term implant durability
In essence, ARVIS® takes the guesswork out of knee replacement, giving surgeons data-driven confidence and patients a stronger foundation for lasting results.
The ARVIS® + Enovis EMPOWR 3D Knee® Advantage
While ARVIS® enhances surgical precision, outcomes also depend on the quality of the implant. That’s why Dr. Torrez combines ARVIS® technology with the Enovis EMPOWR 3D Knee® System, a next-generation implant engineered to replicate the natural dual-pivot motion of the human knee.
This system closely mimics the joint’s natural roll-and-glide movement, providing:
- Improved stability during walking, bending, and climbing stairs
- Greater comfort and range of motion
- A more natural feel compared to traditional implants
By combining ARVIS® augmented reality guidance with the biomechanical accuracy of the Enovis EMPOWR 3D Knee®, Torrez Orthopedics delivers a highly personalized, anatomically precise knee replacement experience.
Why Precision Matters in Knee Replacement
Even a small misalignment during knee replacement can lead to long-term discomfort, implant wear, or limited mobility. Traditionally, surgeons relied on manual guides or mechanical instruments to position implants. While effective, these tools lacked the precision of modern digital navigation.
ARVIS® changes that by providing quantifiable measurements during surgery, ensuring proper alignment of the femoral and tibial components, balanced ligament tension, and optimized tracking of the knee cap.
In a field where millimeters matter, this augmented reality system significantly improves consistency and helps reduce the risk of revision surgeries in the future.
How Dr. Benjamin Torrez Uses ARVIS® to Improve Patient Care
Dr. Benjamin Torrez, DO, MPH, FAAOS, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon dedicated to advancing surgical precision and patient outcomes in the Cedar Valley region. At Torrez Orthopedics, Dr. Torrez integrates ARVIS® technology into total knee replacement procedures to achieve optimal results without relying on bulky robotic systems. His approach emphasizes:
- Personalized care: Each surgery is tailored to the patient’s anatomy and mobility goals.
- Minimally invasive precision: Smaller incisions and enhanced visualization reduce tissue trauma and speed recovery.
- Community-centered care: As a native of Cedar Valley, Dr. Torrez is deeply committed to restoring his neighbors’ mobility and quality of life.
What Patients Can Expect from ARVIS®-Assisted Knee Replacement
Step 1: Comprehensive Consultation
Your journey begins with an in-depth assessment of knee function, imaging, and lifestyle goals. If total knee replacement is the right option, Dr. Torrez explains how ARVIS® can support surgical planning.
Step 2: Precision-Guided Surgery
During the procedure, Dr. Torrez wears the ARVIS® headset, projecting surgical navigation visuals directly onto the operating field. This allows for perfect component positioning and real-time adjustments.
Step 3: Personalized Recovery
Following surgery, patients benefit from a custom rehabilitation plan developed by the Torrez Orthopedics team. The enhanced accuracy of ARVIS® often results in smoother movement and faster rehabilitation compared to conventional methods.
Why Cedar Valley Patients Trust Torrez Orthopedics
Torrez Orthopedics & OrthoExpress combines advanced medical technology with a compassionate, community-focused philosophy. Patients choose this team for their:
- Proven track record of successful total joint surgeries
- Advanced digital technologies like ARVIS® and Enovis EMPOWR 3D
- Local accessibility and continuity of care across Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Independence, and Waverly
By blending innovation with empathy, Dr. Torrez and his staff ensure every patient receives care that is both cutting-edge and deeply personal.
Schedule a Consultation with Torrez Orthopedics
If you’ve been living with chronic knee pain or arthritis, it may be time to explore how augmented reality–assisted surgery can help you regain mobility and independence. Torrez Orthopedics proudly offers ARVIS®-guided total knee replacement surgery right here in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Discover how precision technology, paired with the trusted Enovis EMPOWR 3D Knee® implant, can transform your mobility and confidence.
Schedule your consultation online or call to speak with our team about your options today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ARVIS® used for in knee surgery?
ARVIS® assists orthopedic surgeons by projecting real-time 3D visuals of the surgical field, improving accuracy during implant placement and joint alignment.
Does ARVIS® make recovery faster?
Yes. Because ARVIS® improves surgical accuracy and reduces soft tissue trauma, many patients experience less pain and quicker functional recovery than with traditional methods.
Is ARVIS® robotic surgery?
No. ARVIS® is a wearable augmented reality system, not a robotic device. It gives surgeons real-time visual guidance while allowing them full control during surgery.
Who is a candidate for ARVIS®-assisted surgery?
Patients with advanced arthritis, knee deformities, or chronic joint pain that hasn’t improved with non-surgical treatments may benefit from ARVIS®-assisted knee replacement.
Will insurance cover ARVIS®-assisted knee replacement?
In most cases, yes. Since ARVIS® enhances a standard total knee replacement procedure, it is typically covered by insurance like any medically necessary joint replacement.
