CASTEL SAN PIETRO, Switzerland, April 23, 2026 - Medacta Group SA (“Medacta” SIX: MOVE) today announces the successful completion of the first U.S. surgical cases addressing glenoid deformity and revision shoulder arthroplasty with the NextAR Shoulder Augmented Reality (AR) application, supported by MyShoulder Planner for advanced preoperative 3D planning. This milestone marks a significant expansion of Medacta’s high-value technology portfolio, strengthens its footprint in the U.S. shoulder market, and solidifies its augmented reality solution as a pioneering force in joint replacement.
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, 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, MD, of AdventHealth, Colorado, USA.
The Glenoid Reconstruction System (GRS), introduced in 2024, 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,” said designer John-Erik Bell, MD of Dartmouth Health System, New Hampshire, USA. “We can now plan our difficult revision cases even with in-situ implants and then precisely execute the plan using AR-assisted intra-operative 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 engineered to support accurate implant positioning and sizing within an efficient digital workflow. “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, MD of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas, USA.
NextAR Shoulder operates within Medacta’s NextAR Augmented Reality Surgical Platform, a proprietary platform built 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 strong foundation and long-standing expertise in high-value enabling technologies throughout the MySolutions Personalized Ecosystem, an integrated, end-to-end platform of advanced digital solutions designed to support the entire patient clinical pathway, from education and preoperative planning to intraoperative execution and postoperative monitoring, enabling efficient, data-driven, and reproducible care.
Medacta continues to invest in medical education to support the adoption of innovative technologies such as NextAR Shoulder and MyShoulder Planner, 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 is committed to advancing clinically validated solutions in shoulder surgery, so that more patients may benefit from accurate, personalized surgical care and return to an improved quality of life.
To learn more and experience the full potential of Medacta’s shoulder technology firsthand, visit us at Shoulder 360 in Miami, April 23–25, 2026, where the latest innovations in shoulder technology are being presented.
CONTACT
ABOUT MEDACTA
Medacta is a global key player specializing in the design, production, and distribution of innovative, personalized, and sustainable solutions for joint replacement, sports medicine, and spine surgery. Established in 1999 in Switzerland, Medacta is committed to improving the care and well-being of patients and 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 for every patient. Through the M.O.R.E. Institute, Medacta supports surgeons with a comprehensive and tailored program dedicated to the advancement of medical education. Medacta is headquartered in Castel San Pietro, Switzerland, and operates in over 90 countries. Follow us on Medacta.com, Medacta TV, YouTube, LinkedIn and X.
RELATED TRADEMARKS
Medacta Group Related Trademarks are registered at least in Switzerland. The products and services listed below may not be all-inclusive, and other Medacta products and services not listed below may be covered by one or more trademarks. The products and services listed below may be covered by additional trademarks not listed below. Note that Swiss trademarks may have foreign counterparts. NextARTM Shoulder, MyShoulder® Planner, MySolutions™ Personalized Ecosystem.
