If you’re experiencing severe knee pain that makes it difficult to go about your day-to-day life, you may be suitable for total knee replacement surgery. First performed in 1968, total knee replacements are among the most successful of all surgical procedures, helping people regain mobility and quality of life.
Knee replacement surgery entails removing the damaged knee joint and replacing it with an artificial implant or prosthesis. In total knee replacements, the entire knee joint is replaced whereas with partial knee replacements, only the damaged sections of joint are replaced, with the remainder left intact.
Over the last 50+ years, joint replacement surgery has become increasingly sophisticated and it is now a routine procedure for anyone suffering from severe osteoarthritis or joint pain. However, in 2006, this type of surgery took a giant leap forward with the development of Mako robotic arm-assisted joint replacements.
Leading edge orthopaedic surgeons like Professor Joseph Queally have been at the forefront of this technological advance and today more people than ever are benefiting from the Mako system. If you are considering a total knee replacement, here’s what you need to know:
What is Mako Total Knee Replacement surgery?
Mako Total Knee Replacement Surgery uses Mako SmartRobotics to enhance the skill and expertise of the orthopaedic surgeon. It does this in three ways:
- Pre-operative planning – Mako features computer software that uses CT scans to create a 3D virtual model of the patient’s unique anatomy. The benefit of this is that the surgeon can produce a detailed and completely individualised plan of the procedure in advance, showing which sections of the joint need to be removed and which can be retained. The 3D model enables the surgeon to evaluate your bone structure, joint alignment and surrounding bone and tissue. They can assess how severe any damage is and plan the right size, placement and alignment of the artificial implant.
- A state-of-the-art robotic arm is used by the surgeon on the operating table to guide the procedure and help them to remain within the boundaries established in the pre-operative plan. The robotic arm is used to remove arthritic bone and cartilage from your knee. It features AccuStop haptic technology which creates a virtual boundary, offering tactile resistance if this is crossed. This has been shown to improve accuracy compared to manual cutting blocks.
- Data analytics help surgeons to track performance indicators and patient outcomes so they can track patient progress after surgery.
Pros
Mako Total Knee Replacements deliver a number of important benefits compared to conventional manual knee replacement surgery. Mako patients tend to recover quicker as they spend less time on the operating table. They experience lower pain scores when surveyed after six months and their satisfaction scores are also higher. Because Mako enables surgeons to preserve as much of the natural joint as possible, if revision joint surgery is ever needed in the future (to replace an artificial joint that has worn out), there will be a lower risk of complications.
Cons
All surgery carries a risk of complications and Mako Total Knee Replacement surgery is no exception. While the risk is no greater than with conventional joint replacements, it is important to be aware of the risk of infection, pain, bone fractures, blood clots and other rare but potentially serious complications. Your orthopaedic surgeon will discuss these with you prior to surgery. In some cases, the implant itself may become loose or dislocated, or it may wear. In this instance, you may require further surgery to replace the damaged or defective implant – referred to as a Revision Total Knee Replacement.
While total knee replacement surgery is a highly effective procedure that enables patients to enjoy many years of improved mobility, knee implants don’t always feel the same or provide the same level of performance as the natural knee joint. Your surgeon will advise you about how best to look after your new knee and whether you may need to modify your activities to prolong the life of your implant. This might include avoiding certain high impact activities or maintaining a healthy body weight.
Related Reading: Outcomes of Mako Robotic Arm Assisted Total Knee Replacement
Ask for More Information
For more information about Mako Total Knee Replacement surgery and the pros and cons of this type of surgery compared to manual knee replacements, please contact us.
