Jonathan Payne, MD, advances robotic joint replacement at Piedmont

Athens, Ga. (October 21, 2026) - Last year, Jonathan H. Payne, MD, shared how his experiences treating wounded soldiers in military combat zones helped shape his mission to restore mobility and improve lives through orthopedic surgery. Today, that same commitment to innovation and patient-centered care is placing him at the forefront of one of orthopedic medicine's newest advancements.

As an orthopedic surgeon with Piedmont Orthopedics, Dr. Payne is among the first physicians in Georgia to perform robot-assisted shoulder replacements using a new attachment and software platform developed for the ROSA robotic surgical system. His adoption of this advanced technology is helping shape the future of shoulder replacement surgery.

"Technology continues to move medicine forward, allowing us to personalize care in ways that simply weren't possible in the past," Dr. Payne said. "No two patients are exactly alike, and no two joints are exactly alike. This technology helps us tailor the procedure to each patient's unique anatomy with an incredible level of precision."

The advancement builds on Dr. Payne's extensive experience with ROSA-assisted knee replacements, a technology he has used for several years to improve surgical accuracy and personalize care. Recognizing his expertise, engineers with Zimmer Biomet, the company behind the ROSA robotic platform, invited Dr. Payne to collaborate on developing and refining the system for shoulder replacement procedures.

Earlier this year, Dr. Payne traveled to Canada to work directly with engineers on the project, followed by specialized training in North Carolina as the technology moved closer to clinical use. The result is a software upgrade and new shoulder-specific robotic attachments that expand ROSA's capabilities beyond knees and into one of the body's most complex joints.

Unlike traditional shoulder replacement surgery, which relies heavily on the surgeon's experience and intraoperative judgment, robotic-assisted shoulder replacement begins weeks before a patient enters the operating room. Patients undergo a CT scan that creates a detailed 3D model of their shoulder. Dr. Payne then develops a personalized surgical plan on a computer, determining optimal implant placement before the procedure even begins. During surgery, the ROSA system helps him execute that plan with sub-millimeter and sub-degree accuracy.

"The robot doesn't perform the surgery," Payne explained. "It's a tool that allows me to perform the surgery with a level of accuracy and reproducibility that wasn't previously possible. I'm still making every decision and performing every step of the procedure. The technology simply provides another layer of precision."

That precision is particularly important in shoulder replacement surgery, where small variations in implant positioning can have a significant impact on range of motion, function and long-term outcomes. Because the shoulder has the greatest range of motion of any joint in the human body, even slight improvements in implant placement can make a meaningful difference for patients.

The technology also reflects Piedmont's ongoing commitment to investing in advanced medical innovations that enhance patient care and improve outcomes across Georgia.

"At Piedmont, we're committed to bringing leading-edge technology and expertise to the communities we serve," Payne said. "Patients shouldn't have to travel across the country to access the latest advancements in orthopedic care. We're proud to offer innovative treatment options right here in Northeast Georgia."

For Dr. Payne, the new shoulder application is only the latest step in orthopedic surgery's rapid evolution. He sees robotic technology, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence and increasingly personalized treatment plans working together to transform how joint replacement procedures are performed in the coming years.

"What excites me most is how individualized we're becoming," he said. "We're moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward truly patient-specific surgery. Every patient deserves care that is tailored to them, and technology is helping us deliver that at a level we've never seen before."

From treating complex battlefield injuries to helping pioneer the next generation of robotic orthopedic surgery, Dr. Payne continues to embody Piedmont's commitment to innovation, excellence and compassionate care. And while technology continues to evolve, his mission remains unchanged: helping patients regain mobility, restore independence and return to the activities they love.