Robotically-Assisted Knee Replacement

What is Robotically Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery?

Robotically assisted knee replacement surgery, also known as robotic knee replacement, consists of utilizing technology that further enhances the surgeon’s understanding of the patient’s knee. This allows the surgeon to make accurate and precise bone cutting to deliver an extremely balanced and high functioning knee replacement.  Prior to the surgery, the robot “gets to know” the patient’s knee by using sensors placed on the patient or a preoperative CT scan of the knee. By registering the landmarks around the knee, the robot formulates a 3D image of the knee and begins to plan the cuts for the surgeon to approve and execute. Ultimately, the surgeon is in charge and in complete control of this planning and can adjust as necessary.

Advantages of Robotically Assisted Knee Replacement

Robotically assisted knee replacement allows the surgeon to perform the surgery with minimally invasive technique. We can continue to utilize smaller incisions and muscle sparing (Subvastus) approach because less exposure is needed for the robot to perform the bone resurfacing, allowing for a speedy recovery. During the surgery, we can within 0.5 mm precision balance the ligaments around the knee to provide the patient once again the stability they lost due to arthritis. 

What can I expect after Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?

While all patients are different and recover at different speeds, most of them can expect to ambulate without a walker or cane at 2 weeks. Physical therapy will be very important to maintain the range of motion after surgery. By 6 to 8 weeks, the patients can return to normal activities they enjoy.

Robotic Knee Replacement vs Traditional Knee Replacement

Traditional knee replacement surgery consists of 10 to 12 inch incision and muscle cutting approach to access the joint. Robotically assisted minimally invasive approach utilizes 4 to 6 inch incision and no muscle cutting. The joint is entered underneath the thigh muscles without cutting the tendons. This allows for quicker ambulation, greater early range of motion and less pain. The robot does not require as much exposure of the knee to perform the bone cuts, which means less soft tissue disruption is needed to do the surgery. Traditional knee replacement surgery uses pre-set guides to resurface the knee, however not all knees are created the same. Robotically assisted surgery allows the surgeon to personalize the bone cuts to match the patient’s anatomy to get it precise and accurate within 0.5 mm.

Click here to learn more about Minimally Invasive Muscle Sparing Knee Replacement