Robotic Knee Surgery: Innovations, Benefits and Recovery
Surgical intervention to replace a damaged joint has been revolutionized thanks to the incorporation of robotic tools. Robotic assistance in joint replacement procedures, such as in the knee area, is an advance that has brought a multitude of advantages for both health professionals and patients.
Benefits of Robot-Assisted Knee Arthroplasty
Below you will find a more complete and detailed list of the benefits of robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty:
- Bone-sparing : Robot-assisted surgery allows surgeons to remove less bone during the procedure. This is beneficial as knee replacements don't last forever and future surgeries will be more successful if there is more bone to work with.
- Precise implant alignment and fit : Surgeons can align the implant to more precisely match the patient's anatomy. This can result in better surgical outcomes for patients.
- Precision control : The surgery is performed with the help of robotics, which means that there is more precision in the area of the knee that needs surgery. Surgery is precise and can be targeted at exact incisions and angles, helping to protect adjacent tissues that do not need repair.
- Exposure control : There is no need for a CT scan prior to robotic-assisted surgery, avoiding potentially harmful radiation exposure that could harm the patient in other ways.
- Speed Control – The speed of the surgery is adjusted based on proximity to the target cut surface, taking into account the unique endurance capacity of the patient.
- Advanced Instrumentation : Surgery is performed with the use of advanced instruments, designed to ensure bone resurfacing within the plan defined by the surgeon.
- Computer Assistance : The surgery uses computer programs to ensure consistent and accurate results, reducing the possibility of errors.
- Flexibility : Offers multiple implant options and dynamic ligament balance at multiple stages.
- Confidence : Provides virtual confirmation of pre- and post-harvest cuts for long leg alignment and joint balance for normal knee kinematics.
- Controlled by the surgeon but not dependent on the surgeon : The robotic knee replacement procedure is controlled by the surgeon, but not solely dependent on the surgeon, making it safer and more scalable.
5 things to know about a Robotic Knee Surgery with Cobot
- Alternative treatments before a knee replacement
- The surgery is not performed by the SURGEON ROBOT or COBOT
- Reduces recovery time
- More natural knee sensation after surgery
- experience matters
Let's see each one of them!
1. Alternative treatments before a knee replacement
Osteoarthritis currently has no cure; so we have to calm the symptoms. The doctors, before talking to you about a knee operation, will tell you that we exhaust each and every one of the alternative treatment options, and the most essential are:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Weight loss, with light diets and exercise
- cortisone injections
- Physiotherapy
- Knee pads to strengthen the knee.
If each and every one of the treatments fail, you continue with the pain that bothers you or prevents you from walking, then knee replacement would be the last option, whether it is operated with traditional methods or with the most advisable with the assistance of the medical robot. KOBOT throughout its operation.
Traditional knee replacement methods lacked lasting results. Therefore, the question was for arthritic patients under 60 years of age.
2. The surgery is not carried out by the SURGEON ROBOT or COBOT
The robotic arm will help the surgeon achieve greater precision.
The surgeon will give each and every one of the data and the robot will show the final result even before the surgery. The control will be completely in the hand of your surgeon.
3. Reduce recovery time
This is one of the exceptional advantages of robotic knee arthroplasty. In traditional knee replacement methods, an average patient will not be able to resume routine activities such as family work, driving before 4-6 weeks. But greater precision and less disturbance to bone and soft tissue occasionally reduces restoration time and speeds up the natural healing process.
4. More natural knee sensation after surgery
With this high-end robotic technology, the surgeon can customize knee replacement surgery according to the unique anatomy of the patient. And the high level of precision of the robot-assisted arm will reduce the risk of soft tissue injuries. A joint awareness drawback after traditional knee arthroplasty has a higher number compared to robotic knee arthroplasty.
5. Experience matters
The art of robotic tools has the potential to improve patient outcomes, but that's no substitute for a good old-fashioned experience. Find a prosthetic surgeon who has completed a huge volume of surgeries with good results.
Success Story: The Case of Lauren Whomsley
Lauren Whomsley is a clear example of the benefits of this technology. Suffering from osteoarthritis in part of her knee, Lauren couldn't do basic things like climb stairs because of the intense pain. However, after opting for robotic arm-assisted knee resurfacing, she has been able to return to exercising without pain. In addition to pain reduction, other benefits of this procedure may include faster recovery due to its less invasive nature compared to other knee replacement procedures.
Is Robot-Assisted Surgery Right for Everyone?
Although this technique has many benefits, it is not suitable for all patients. It is important to talk with your doctor to determine if you are a good candidate for robotic arm-assisted knee resurfacing. Robot-assisted knee arthroplasty is a particularly attractive option for younger patients and those with osteoarthritis limited to one area of the knee.
Where to have surgery?
If you are interested in having this operation, it would be best to contact a hospital that offers robotic-assisted surgery directly for more details. For example, the Mayo Clinic in the United States offers this type of surgery. You can contact them through various methods, depending on your location.
Summary
The advantage of using this state-of-the-art technique is twofold. First, it allows surgeons to remove less bone, which is beneficial since replacements don't last forever, and future surgeries will be more successful if there is more bone to work with. Second, it allows surgeons to align the implant and more precisely match the patient's anatomy. This level of precision can result in better surgical outcomes for patients.
It is important to mention that this procedure does not benefit all patients who need a knee replacement due to wear and tear from arthritis. It is essential to speak with the doctor to determine if this procedure is appropriate for each specific case.
Tecnoia's group will continue to investigate how robot-assisted surgery can be less invasive and result in faster recovery.