Surgeon Performs First ROSA® Shoulder Replacement in California

Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA® Shoulder is the First Robotic System to Support Both Glenoid and Humeral Preparation for Anatomic and Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

Hafiz F. Kassam, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), is the first surgeon in California and among the first surgeons in the world to perform a total robotic-assisted arthroplasty (shoulder replacement) using an advanced version of the ROSA^® Shoulder System from Zimmer Biomet.

“Robotic-assisted arthroplasty is a breakthrough approach that is designed to deliver a consistent level of surgical precision and personalized planning,” said Dr. Kassam, Director of the Shoulder Reconstruction Division at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, who currently has one of the highest shoulder surgical volumes on the West Coast. “For our patients, this innovative robotic-assisted system allows us to correct both sides of the shoulder joint and helps us tailor procedures to each patient's unique anatomy, while supporting more precise implant placement,” says Dr. Kassam. “What’s truly game changing, however, is the ability to collect novel and impactful data as we do these surgeries to help advance the next generation of implants and techniques.”

This most recent Zimmer Biomet system received FDA clearance on May 21, 2026, and is the first robotic shoulder platform designed to assist with key steps of both anatomic and reverse shoulder replacement procedures. Unlike other shoulder robot systems, ROSA® Shoulder can guide surgeons in preparing both sides of the shoulder joint – the humerus and the glenoid (ball and socket) – for procedures that either restore the shoulder's natural anatomy (anatomic arthroplasty) or reverse the ball-and-socket configuration (reverse arthroplasty).

“Think of it as a very detailed GPS for your car,” said Dr. Kassam. “If your shoulder moves even a fraction of an inch, the robot can detect it and adjust accordingly. Throughout the surgery, the robot provides real-time data that complements my expertise, helping me determine the optimal implant position based on my digital pre-operative plan, that I already tailor to each patient’s unique anatomy.”

Surgeons at Hoag Orthopedic Institute have been performing robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery since 2021. The ROSA Shoulder System is the newest member of a growing family of 13 robotic-assisted surgical systems already in use at Hoag Orthopedic Institute. Patients have access to robotic knee replacement (total and partial), hip replacement and spine surgery at HOI and its affiliated surgery centers.

These technological surgical advances combine the expertise of the hospital’s renowned, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons with state-of-the-art

systems. These systems do not replace the surgeon but rather act as highly sophisticated tools to enhance the surgeon’s capabilities.