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The knee is a hardworking joint. While you're walking, crouching, or even standing still, your knee depends on a well-tuned system of bones, ligaments, cartilage, muscles, and nerves. If an injury, arthritis, or another condition affects any of the parts of your knee, you may need a knee replacement surgery. Precision is vital in these procedures. The more exact a surgeon's measurement tools, the better they can plan and perform your surgery.Penn Orthopaedics' Robotic Knee Replacement Technology assists our surgeons in highly precise partial or total knee replacement surgeries. These innovative technologies take into account each person's unique anatomy for the best possible outcomes.
A robotic knee replacement is similar to a traditional knee replacement. Your surgeon removes damaged tissue in your knee and replaces it with an artificial joint. The difference is that it's done with assistance from a robotic arm or handheld robotic device (depending on the robotic system used for your surgery).
Robotic-assisted procedures allow for greater precision and can lead to shorter recovery times and better results. In more complex cases, a robotic-assisted knee replacement offer a better balance in the soft tissues around your knee, and better align the joint. If you're having a robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery, you don't have to prepare any differently than you would for a conventional surgery.
Penn Orthopaedics has multiple cutting-edge robotic tools:
Each system helps your surgeon create an ideal surgical plan for you. This helps optimize every step of your surgery. Your surgeon will discuss all options available to you. While the robotic tools are used to get the same result, they differ when planning and performing your knee replacement. The Navio and Cori and Mako systems can be used in both partial knee replacement and total knee replacement surgeries. Your surgeon will discuss all options available to you, including whether you are a good candidate for robotic joint replacement.
In conventional knee replacement surgery, plain X-rays, rods and cutting guides are placed on the bone surfaces to ensure proper alignment when planning your procedure. During robotic-assisted knee replacements, Navio and Cori take measurements of the knee, hip, and ankle. Then your leg is moved through a range of motion so the system can see how your leg and knee joint moves. Together, these measurements produce a 3-D image that’s specific to your knee. With that image, your surgeon can create a detailed surgical plan and select the optimal implant type and placement. All this is done in the operating room, where the specialized handheld robotic cutting tool and digital 3-D model of your knee help your surgeon fine-tune your surgery. The Navio and Cori complement your surgeon’s expertise while evaluating cuts and guiding implant placement and joint alignment.
The Mako system differs from Navio in two key ways:
Before a Mako knee replacement surgery, you’ll get specialized CAT scans that create a 3-D image of your knee joint, bone structure, and surrounding tissues. This detailed picture helps your surgeon plan every step of your surgery. Cuts can be made with precision to the millimeter, picking the right implant size and positioning.
At the beginning of a Mako surgery, your surgeon will use tracking pins to help the robot confirm that it received correct size and positioning information from your CAT scans. Then, the Mako arm positions itself and your surgeon uses the hand-held tool to perform your knee replacement. The tool will guide the surgeon throughout the procedure, enhancing their experience and skills.
If you are a candidate for traditional knee replacement, it is likely you are a candidate for robotic-assisted knee replacement, as well. It is important that you talk with your doctor to see if surgery – or other non-surgical options to treat knee pain – are best for you.
Robotic knee replacements are ideal for even the most complex knee joint disease. This includes patients who have:
There are several advantages of robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery when compared with traditional surgery. Advantages include:
Robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery is not done by a robot alone. Instead, it acts as a guide, helping your surgeon follow the plan laid out in advance. Like during traditional surgery, your orthopaedic surgeon is in control, however, they use the robot as an additional surgical tool. The robot enhances your surgeon’s skills during all stages of your surgery to help deliver the best possible outcomes.
Robotic joint replacement uses more precise incisions and helps achieve optimal positioning, which may lead to a better and faster recovery. After your surgery, your surgeon and the rest of your care team will monitor your progress, help to relieve discomfort, and chart a course for your at-home recovery.