If you’re living with knee pain, robotic knee surgery could help you move without feeling pain and get back to your daily activities sooner. Robotic surgery refers to the use of a robotic arm to assist a surgeon with a surgical procedure. You might be wondering if it’s safe, if there are risks, and if it’ll be painful. Let’s discover how robotic-assisted surgery works and its incredible benefits to patients suffering from joint pain.
What Is Robotic Knee Surgery?
In traditional knee surgery, doctors use CT scans, X-rays, or MRIs to plan the overall bone and implant alignment. However, since these only produce static images, they are unable to obtain data on the movement of your knee joint. These images can also not be taken in real-time during the procedure, which means the surgeon relies only on their own skill to perform the surgery.
That’s not a problem for robotic knee surgery. With robotic technology, a mechanical arm with special tools can combine 3D imaging and infrared to map out the best replacement for patients. It doesn’t act independently; rather, it’s an extension of the doctor’s capabilities and allows them to perform surgical procedures with more accuracy and precision. Because of smaller incisions, robotic knee surgery is minimally invasive and results in smaller scars and a swifter recovery.
There are two types of robotic systems that doctors can use to treat your knee condition:
- NAVIO system. It takes knee, hip, and ankle measurements to determine how your leg and joint move. These measurements produce a 3D image tailored to your knee, so the doctor can select the optimal implant type and placement.
- MAKO robot. It uses specific scans of your knee to get precise measurements, creating a 3D image of your knee joint, bone structure, and surrounding tissues.
Is Robotic Knee Surgery Less Painful?
There are many benefits of robotic knee surgery — and indeed, one of them is less pain after surgery. Since the robotic arm operates with pinpoint accuracy, the incision is much smaller and more cosmetic. Thus, it allows postoperative maintenance of muscle function. Stronger muscles mean a quicker rehab and less postsurgical pain.
Prosthetics are also a key factor in how painful knee surgery will be. If not enough cartilage is removed, the size is incorrect, or the prosthetic is installed in the wrong way, it could lead to pain or discomfort. With robotic knee surgery, the placement of the prosthetic can be extremely precise, down to the nearest millimeter. With such exact specifications, patients are guaranteed to have less pain and longer lasting prosthetics.
What Are Other Benefits Of Robotic Knee Surgery?
Robotic knee surgery has established itself as a powerful tool for surgeons. Aside from decreased post-operative pain, it also presents other advantages.
- Lower long-term costs. Patients who get robotic knee surgery tend to have much fewer complications. This means fewer return visits to the hospital. Because of faster recovery, you can also get back to work and earn money faster.
- Enhanced surgical planning. The specialized 3D images that are taken to prepare for the surgery help your surgeon execute the procedure more accurately. It also ensures that the prosthetic is the right size and fit.
- Greater precision. Using robotic technology enables greater surgical precision and a more balanced knee joint. It also lessens the chances for errors and complications, thus allowing a safer operation and more successful outcome. Implants using this method are also less likely to loosen prematurely or cause issues with surrounding components.
- More natural feeling. Since prosthetics are customized to your anatomy, it leads to a more natural feeling when the replacement has been fitted. Patients are less conscious of the replacement in their daily life, and there is very little risk of issues caused by prosthetic alignment.
- Faster recovery. Due to its minimally invasive nature, robotic knee surgery patients are able to return to daily activities faster. Some are even able to walk just hours after surgery, and you’ll probably be able to return to usual activities in about four weeks.
Robotic Knee Surgery In Michigan
Robotic knee surgery is shown to deliver better results compared to traditional surgery. With its accuracy and precision, patients are able to enjoy less pain, a faster recovery, and optimal outcomes.
Movement Orthopedics touts state-of-the-art robotic technology to assist in knee surgery. Our orthopedic surgeons use the NAVIO system to devise an effective and accurate treatment plan for your knee to get you back to enjoying the activities you love once again. We’re committed to providing compassionate, exceptional care for each and every patient.
If you’re interested in finding out if the minimally invasive robotic knee surgery is the right procedure for you, call our friendly staff today at (586) 436-3785 or request an appointment online. We look forward to getting you back on your feet!
