Robotic Knee Replacement

What is Robotic Knee Replacement?

Knee replacement surgery (knee arthroplasty) involves cutting away damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers. Arthritic damage to one side of the knee is common. Partial knee replacement surgery or total knee replacement are options that your orthopedic surgeon will discuss with you. The goals of total knee replacement are to relieve pain, improve function, correct deformity, improve gait, and increase range of motion.

Robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery is an advanced, minimally invasive method that typically utilizes a few small ports, as opposed to a full incision. The 3D video technology is magnified to the highest definition, which is 20x magnification of the naked eye. The surgeon controls tiny instruments that can twist, bend, and rotate in ways that no human hand could ever orchestrate conventional surgical instrumentation. The physician can visualize the field with greater visibility and has unprecedented control from the monitor to move the tools with precision and accuracy.

Knee Replacement

Knee replacement surgery (knee arthroplasty) involves cutting away damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics, and polymers. Arthritic damage to one side of the knee is common. Partial knee replacement surgery or total knee replacement are options that your orthopedic surgeon will discuss with you.

Issues with knee joints are almost always progressive in nature. The options for robotic-assisted surgery and traditional knee replacement surgery are discussed with patients after conservative treatment methods have not achieved the optimal results or no longer help the condition of the knee.

Robotic-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery

More than 3 million people worldwide have had remarkable outcomes due to robotic-assisted surgery’s advanced technology and sophistication. At Doctors Hospital in Sarasota, Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine have been using robotic-assisted surgery for many years and with remarkable patient outcomes. It is by far one of the most significant advancements to affect the medical world over the past century.

How robotics can help

The Advantages of Robotic Surgery

  • Quicker recovery times
  • Improved visual magnification for the surgeon
  • Precise placement of device
  • Minor scarring
  • Minimal discomfort
  • Proven results
  • Advanced outcomes


Why we use the Mako Robotics System

The robotic-assisted device from Stryker, called Mako is the most advanced robot. Stryker’s joint replacement solutions offer a combination of market-leading implants for hips and knees, along with Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology and Performance Solutions. This robotic device yields greater accuracy by utilizing advanced technological protocols and CT scan imaging, whereas other machines use standard x-ray and do not provide the intricate details needed for orthopedic surgery. Additionally, the haptic technology, which is the simulation of the senses of touch and motion, in this surgical procedure, is on a much greater level than other robotic devices.  These haptics allow accurate tensioning of support structures while increasing precision.  

Mako robotic-assisted surgery provides accurate implant positioning, which is achieved through a detailed pre-operative planning process from the data generated from a CT scan. The scan is used to create a 3D model of the patient’s bone structure, which is used to customize a preoperative plan specifically and precisely for the patient before surgery, which yields exceptional outcomes.

Types of Robotic Assisted Knee Replacements 

There are multiple procedures that the robotic-assisted surgical device can perform; orthopedic procedures include the following: total knee, partial knee, and hip arthroscopy. It enables surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience when performing joint replacement surgery.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery of the Surgical Knee Details

Robotic-assisted knee surgery is designed to treat and relieve pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis. This procedure can also intricately treat part of the knee that is damaged and by selectively targeting the diseased area of the knee joint, we can resurface portions of the knee, while sparing the healthy ligaments and bone around the knee joint.  We follow our preoperative plan to guide the robotic arms to remove damaged areas and to position the new joint implant.

Physical Therapy after Knee Replacement

Physical therapy is provided after surgery and is specific to each patient, but people will need physical therapy for a few weeks to a few months post-op.  

Physical therapy exercises are designed to improve range of motion, mobility, and stability and restore a normal gait. Knee joint prosthetics are made from ultra-strong materials such as polyethylene and metals and are made to last and withstand pressure.

FAQ's

1) Is robotic knee replacement surgery better?

Traditional knee replacement surgery is used in numerous cases, and is a great choice for many patients, if they see an experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeon. However, robotic-assisted surgery for the knee provides keen detail and accuracy and quicker recovery times with less pain due to the minimally invasive techniques.   We explain which surgical procedure we recommend for our patients and why during their consultation and preoperative planning. 

2) How long is recovery from a robotic knee replacement?

Because robotic-assisted knee surgery is minimally invasive, the patients can usually go home the same day as the procedure. The total healing and recovery time is usually around 4 to 6 weeks until some normal function returns but expect 3 months of “full time” recovery. 

3) Is there less pain with robotic knee replacement?

There is less pain with robotic-assisted surgery. The more precise reconstruction and balance of the knee lead to many patients having minimal pain and discomfort.

Experience Matters

Orthopedic injury and degenerative disorders are common conditions that millions of patients face. Whether your orthopedic condition needs surgery, minimally invasive repair, or regenerative medicine, choosing an orthopedic surgeon should not be something that is taken lightly. Ensuring the physician you select has the credentials and experience necessary is essential, and when it comes to healing your body, improving range-of-motion, functionality, and comfort level, finding the best orthopedic surgeon is critical.

You have a choice when deciding on an orthopedic surgeon. It’s essential for patients to do their research, look at real reviews and patient testimonials, and most importantly, to go with a physician or group that has the experience level and training necessary to improve their condition, restore their joints, and get them back to living the life they deserve.

Board certification and fellowshipped-trained doctors are the elite in the orthopedic industry. Their training, skills, and experience are superior, and it is a critical factor to consider when choosing an orthopedic surgeon. 

Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine are everything healthcare should be, and along with their elite expertise, they put their patient’s needs first above all else.

Focusing On You

As healthcare is ever changing, Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine, is doing things differently…

  • Christopher R. Sforzo, M.D. is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship trained in hand and upper extremity surgery. He provides expert care in the treatment of problems involving the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. He performs many procedures using minimally invasive techniques includi
  • Christopher L. Dillingham, M.D. is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship trained in hand, shoulder, and arm surgery. He specializes in the treatment of problems with rotator cuff disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve injury, joint replacement, arthritis surgery, fracture repair, foot and ankle
  • Charles E. Stewart M.D. is a board certified, Johns Hopkins fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult complex reconstruction of the lower extremity. His specialties include, lower extremity sports injuries, meniscal injuries, partial knee replacement, total hip and knee arthroplasty (replacement), as
  • Philip A. Meinhardt, M.D. is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship trained spine surgeon. He specializes in adult spinal surgeries including reconstruction of spinal deformities, minimally invasive/microscopic spinal procedures, decompression, spinal instrumentation, fusion procedures and microscopic cer

Testimonial

Patient-stories

After tearing my rotator cuff, not only was I experiencing pain but my quality of life was diminished. Playing golf and working out were painful rather than enjoyable. Graci and I sought out Fellowship trained Dr. Christopher Sforzo and the team at Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine. I was treated non-surgically and am now pain free, mobile and enjoying everything I did before.

- Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy
Patient-stories31

As avid golfers and tennis enthusiasts, our rotator cuff injuries left us in pain, and unable to enjoy our sport. In researching for the most qualified surgeons, we found that Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine not only had the highest level of training and experience, but they were also highly recommended by friends and associates who had excellent results. We, too, had outstanding…

- Mike Wilton, Bud Polley and Arnie Vance
pat_cooper

I was visiting the area looking at property and considering a full time re-location from Minnesota when I was in a traffic accident. The result was a very painful shoulder injury that would ultimately require bilateral RTC repairs. I was unable to undertake regular day-to-day activities or participate in my favorite sport – tennis. It was essential that I choose a shoulder specialist that could quickly set…

- Pat Cooper
people-with-happy-faces-after-physical-therapy

Over the years we had seen several orthopedists in town but were never impressed. They seemed to lack knowledge or compassion or both. Then when Liza was in high school, she went to Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine for a minor sports injury. They not only diagnosed her somewhat obscure problem, but explained things in a way that she understood without being patronizing…

- Liza, John and Betsy Kane-Hartnett
bob

As a very busy business owner in Sarasota, having not one, but two, massive rotator cuff tears had a debilitating effect on both my personal and professional life. From my first consultation with Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine, I knew I was in good hands. The surgeons are board-certified and fellowship-trained, which gave me the confidence in achieving a successful outcome. More importantly,…

- Bob Kirschner

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