In computer-assisted robotic surgery, a robot acts as an extension of the surgeon’s eyes and hands in a minimally invasive surgery to replace an arthritic knee. The robotics help surgeons operate more effectively through a smaller incision.
Total knee replacements are routinely done around with world with a high degree of success. When the replacements do fail, it is generally due to misalignment of the prosthesis. There is only a 3-degree window in which to place the implant appropriately. If the implant is misaligned, it is likely it will eventually become painful and may even loosen. A follow-up revision surgery is necessary to fix this. Many orthopedic surgeons now use robotic guidance systems to assist with removing and resurfacing only the arthritic part of a knee. This technique uses 3D computer mapping and micro-robotics to provide the surgeon with an amazing level of accuracy. The implant can be aligned much more accurately than with the naked eye. It has been shown to be precise to within fractions of a millimeter and assists with the balance of the implant joint.
The robotics are employed through small “minimally invasive” incisions, which result in less scarring and blood loss. Ultimately, the patient can have a shorter hospital stay and recovery period than with a conventional knee replacement.
Robotic Assistance and Partial Knee Replacement
The use of robotic guidance systems can assist surgeons with removing and resurfacing only the arthritic part of a knee without sacrificing your entire knee joint. This “minimally invasive” procedure is performed through a 2-3 inch incision and allows your surgeon to preserve as much of your natural bone and tissue as possible.
For patients with only unicompartmental osteoarthritis, this can be a good alternative to total knee replacement. As one of the least invasive knee surgeries performed, this procedure offers a smaller incision, less scarring and blood loss, a shorter hospital stay and the ability to return to everyday activities much sooner than with traditional knee replacement surgeries.
What is MAKOplasty?
MAKOplasty is a robotic arm assisted partial knee resurfacing procedure designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis (OA).
Partial Knee Resurfacing
MAKOplasty is a robotic arm assisted partial knee resurfacing procedure designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis (OA). By selectively targeting the part of your knee damaged by OA, your surgeon can resurface your knee while sparing the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding it.
MAKOplasty Partial Knee Resurfacing Can:
- Enable surgeons to precisely resurface only the arthritic portion of the knee
- Preserve healthy tissue and bone
- Facilitate optimal implant positioning to result in a more natural feeling knee following surgery
- Result in a more rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay than traditional total knee replacement surgery
Unlike other more invasive procedures MAKOplasty can often be performed through a four to six inch incision over your knee with small incisions in both your femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin). Additionally the preservation of your own natural bone and tissue along with more ideal patient specific implant positioning may also result in a more natural feeling knee. And since healthy bone is preserved, patients who undergo MAKOplasty partial knee procedures may still be a candidate for a total knee replacement procedure later in life if necessary.
The MAKOplasty procedure is indicated for patients suffering from unicompartmental or bicompartmental knee disease. A total replacement is sometimes necessary if your surgeon discovers during surgery that your knee has more damage than originally seen in the pre-operative X-rays and CT scan.
Your physician should discuss the specific risks associated with MAKOplasty and other treatment options with you. In addition, you should be informed of any pre-operative and post-operative instructions by your surgeon or his or her staff.
As a knee arthroplasty procedure, MAKOplasty is typically covered by Medicare insurers – check with your private health insurers. In some cases it may be performed on an outpatient basis depending on what your surgeon determines is the right course of treatment for you.
Total Hip Arthroplasty
What is MAKOplasty® Total Hip Arthroplasty?
MAKOplasty is a robotic arm assisted total hip replacement procedure designed for those suffering with inflammatory or non-inflammatory degenerative hip joint disease (DJD). Using real-time information and images of your hip, your surgeon knows and controls accurate implant placement, which can be difficult to achieve with traditional total hip replacement techniques without a robotic arm.
What is Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)?
Degenerative joint diseases (DJDs) are chronic conditions often resulting in pain and the loss of an active lifestyle and quality of life. There are different types of DJD that can affect the hip, including:
- Osteoarthritis (OA), in which cartilage wears down over time
- Post-traumatic arthritis, which results from a severe fracture or dislocation of the hip
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory arthritis of the joints
- Avascular necrosis (AVN), a condition where the “ball” or femoral head of the hip joint has lost a healthy supply of blood flow causing the bone to die and the femoral head becomes misshaped
- Hip dysplasia, a condition where bones around the hip joint did not form properly, which may cause misalignment of the hip joint
What Causes Degenerative Joint Disease?
The risk of developing symptomatic degenerative joint disease is influenced by multiple factors such as age, gender and inherited traits that can affect the shape and stability of your joints. Other factors can include: • A previous hip injury • Repetitive strain on the hip • Improper joint alignment bull; Being overweight • Exercise or sports-generated stress placed on the hip joint
MAKOplasty Total Hip Arthroplasty Benefits May Include:
- Accurate placement of your hip implant using the surgeon-controlled robotic arm system, which can reduce the likelihood of hip dislocation
- More consistency in leg length, potentially decreasing the need for a shoe lift
- Decreased risk of the implant and bone abnormally rubbing together – this may improve the lifetime of the implant
