Current robotic systems for knee replacement are considered to be robotic-assisted surgery. The surgeon is still performing the surgery, but the hand-held robotic tools help to optimize to accuracy and precision of the surgery, including proper sizing of the implant, proper alignment (straightening) of the limb, and optimized balancing of the ligaments. The goal is to have the artificial implant feel as natural as possible.
By utilizing micro-invasive surgical techniques and a robotic-assisted, custom-tailored surgical plan, surgeons can achieve increased precision, resulting in less trauma to the soft tissues, muscles, and tendons surrounding the joint and a reduced risk of surgical and post-operative complications.
Rather than a long (10 to 12 inch) incision on top of the knee and incisions through the quadriceps tendon used in traditional knee replacement surgeries, this procedure uses only precise, small incisions. There are no cuts made into any of the muscles around the knee, resulting in less damage to soft tissue and significantly less post-operative pain. The damaged cartilage is removed and the ends of the bones are resurfaced and fitted with a prosthesis. A plastic spacer is then added to allow for easy and pain-free movement between the two parts of the prosthesis.
Before the procedure, the surgeon will use a CT scan of the knee joint to create a customized joint implant and surgical plan that is personalized for every patient. The pre-operative scan will give the surgeon greater accuracy, resulting in a knee replacement that is precisely shaped to fit with the patient's resurfaced bones.
The micro-invasive, patient-specific total robotic knee replacement procedures typically take between 1 to 1.5 hours of procedure time. Generally, patients will experience mild post-operative pain and swelling around the joint, which can be managed with Tylenol and Celebrex as well as icepacks. It is recommended that patients begin walking unassisted within a few hours of the procedure. To aid in the healing process, it is suggested to keep the knee in a comfortable position, wear supportive shoes, and exercise daily. With regular physical therapy, full strength and range of motion can be recovered within a month or two.
