If you’ve started to think about knee replacement, you’ve probably come across the term robotic surgery.
Once upon a time, that would have sounded like something out of an outlandish sci-fi B movie. Now, with the huge growth in robotics across all areas of medicine, it’s becoming common parlance among both doctors and patients – an option to consider, an alternative to traditional surgery.
But what exactly is it? And why would you choose to use it for your own knee joint replacement? Here are some thoughts to consider if you’re fresh to the whole concept.
It’s not as new as you might think
Robotic knee replacement has only been around for, what, two or three years? Actually – and this surprises a lot of people – it’s closer to 20. The first operation with a Stryker Mako robot (the one we use here at Chris Bailey Orthopaedics) took place in 2006. There have since been 1 million+ procedures across the world, generating something like 330 peer-reviewed studies on its performance. If you worry about turning yourself into a medical guinea pig by using it, that’s worth considering.
The robot doesn’t control the operation
Contrary to popular belief, the robot isn’t itself a surgeon. The official terminology is “robotic-arm assisted”, which is a better way to think of it. It’s actually a high-precision tool that the (human) surgeon directs. The incisions are pre-prepared by computer (based on an advanced CT scan of your leg) and “haptic feedback” alerts the surgeons if they venture to the boundary of those plans. But the human stays in control at all times.
The robot doesn’t create the implant
People often ask us if the Mako makes their new joint. That it somehow manufactures or adapts the implant as part of the process. This is an important one to dispel. The artificial joints we use are the same standard implants that go into traditional replacements. That’s important because it means there’s a long history behind it, demonstrating results over many years. You aren’t getting a novel knee that hasn’t been tested. You’re having an existing implant, implanted in the optimal way.
It’s helping to speed up recovery times
After 20 years, you’d expect the evidence around robotic surgery to be pretty substantial. And, fortunately, it is. A number of researchers have attempted to stress-test the overarching theory – that the robotic arm’s precise incisions will lead to less tissue damage, which will result in strong recoveries. And the results – for example in this study – do seem to bear this out, from improved rehab to “earlier time to hospital discharge compared with conventional [total knee replacements].”
The technology lends itself to a natural fit
The surgeon’s ultimate aim is to give you a knee replacement that feels as natural as possible. One thing that can help to achieve that is an “uncemented” or “press-fit” implant. These are designed to encourage bone growth onto the implant surface, creating a more “biological fix” within your new joint – and, potentially, one that lasts for longer. The precision and predictability of the robot’s cuts make it excellent at this type of replacement – by maximising the contacts between prosthesis and bone, the implant has the very best chance of sitting securely and comfortably in place.
Interested in reading more about robotic-arm assisted surgery? Try these articles for starters…
Knee replacement with robotic surgery – our official guide to the technology
Ed’s case study – our patient explains why he went robotic for his knee replacement
Why robotic surgery can be a good option for partial knee replacements (blog)
Are you suffering from persistent knee pain? If so, it’s important to have it properly investigated. You can do that here in the clinic by booking an appointment with us. We’ll make sure you’re seen, examined and treated as soon as possible.
