ROBOT-ASSISTED
TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT PERTH

Patient overview:

Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery –
Explanation, advantages, pain management, rehabilitation & risks.

 

Australian Academy of Robotic
Orthopaedic Surgeons

Robot-Assisted Knee Replacement Specialists

Robotic Total Knee Replacement Surgery

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Individual results vary. Speak to your doctor about the surgical advantages and risks to decide if robotic joint replacement surgery is right for you.

*To view all references and statistics visit – Stryker.

*Mako Robotic Surgery Advantages:

PATIENT SPECIFIC SURGICAL PLANNING

MORE PRECISE BONE CUT

MORE PRECISE PROTHESIS PLACEMENT

ASSISTS IN BALANCING THE SOFT TISSUES AROUND THE KNEE

REDUCED TISSUE WOUNDS & SCARRING

REDUCED REHABILITATION TIME

Access the buttons below to be taken to the relevant knee replacement information:
“We aim to provide you with personalised and unique medical care and ensure you fully understand your diagnosis and treatment options.”

Please feel free to ask any questions and bring a family member or friend along for support.

Australian Academy of Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeons
Robotic Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists.

What is Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Total knee replacement surgery is a medical procedure in which the worn out or damaged surfaces of the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial components, called a prothesis. The prothesis may be made from a range of materials such as stainless steel, titanium, ceramics and medical grade polyethylene.

The goal of knee replacement surgery is to relieve pain and restore function in the diseased or damaged knee joint/s.

The surgery involves cutting away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone (Femur), shinbone (Tibia) and kneecap (Patella) and replacing it with the prosthesis.

Your doctor may choose from a variety of knee replacement prostheses and surgical techniques, considering your age, weight, activity level, knee size and shape, overall health and individual goals and circumstances.

What is Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery is similar to a traditional knee replacement.

Your surgeon removes damaged tissue and bone in your knee and replaces it with an artificial joint (prothesis).

However, the surgical procedure involves using robot assisted technology to help with the precision planning and execution of the knee replacement surgery.

The Australian Academy of Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeons use MAKO Robot-Assisted Technology.

The Mako robotic-arm assisted technology allows your surgeon to pre-plan the surgery using Mako’s software and then perform the operation by guiding the robotic arm to precisely remove bone and cartilage to assist in the knee replacement surgical process.

How Does Mako Robot-Assisted Technology Help During Knee Replacement Surgery

A CT scan is taken of the patients knee joint (a CT scan a series of x-rays) and is used to generate a 3D virtual model of the knee. The 3D model is loaded into the Mako system software and is used to create the personalised pre-operative plan.

Prior to surgery the surgeon reviews the implant size and placement of the prothesis in order to better position the implant. During surgery, the surgeon places navigation pins in the thigh and shin bones with infrared trackers as well as location points on the knee to give the robot information about the exact location of the leg and to register the knees anatomy in the Mako system. This process establishes the relationship between the patients knee and the 3D model created during the pre-operative plan.

Once the anatomy is registered to the 3D model, your surgeon has the flexibility to modify the plan based on their assessment of the patients knee anatomy and range of motion.

During surgery, the robotic arm provides a virtual boundary and tactile resistance to remove only the damaged bone and cartilage from the knee identified in the pre-operative plan. The Mako system shows the surgeon visual information on screen in relation to how much bone and cartilage to remove.

With the diseased bone removed and the bone surfaces prepared (Femur and Tibia) the knee implant is then inserted into the joint space by your surgeon.

Your surgeon will then will bend and flex the knee to ensure that the implant is working correctly, and that alignment, sizing, and positioning is suitable. To complete the procedure, the surgeon will close the incision with stitches or staples, and then bandage it and prepare you for recovery.

Advantages of Robot-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery

Doctors from the Australian Academy of Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeons use the Stryker Triathlon Total Knee Replacement System to plan, assist and execute Knee Replacement surgeries.

Stryker Triathlon technology is the most commonly used and one of the best performing Total Knee Replacement Systems in Australia and the World.

The technology and robotic arm allows for enhanced accuracy in relation to bone cuts, alignment and function of the knee prothesis.

Poor prothesis alignment and bone cuts can result in early implant wear and tear and failure.

The MAKO Technology and Robotic-Arm allows for:

1. Personalised Surgical Plan

Before surgery, a computerised tomography scan (CT scan) of your knee is taken to develop a 3D virtual model of your unique joint. Your doctor uses this model to evaluate your bone structure, disease or injury severity, joint alignment and even the surrounding bone and tissue, to help determine the optimal size, placement and alignment of your prothesis.

2. Range-of-motion Assessment

Throughout your procedure, Mako technology provides real-time data to your surgeon. This allows them to continuously assess the movement and tension of your new prothesis, and adjust your surgical plan if desired.

3. Improved Accuracy

Bone cutting and removal – In the operating room, your surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm to remove the damaged bone and cartilage from the knee. The robotic arm precisely cuts the bone ends and allows exact placement of the knee replacement prosthetic. A virtual boundary provides tactile resistance to help the surgeon stay within the boundaries defined in your personalised surgical plan.

4. Optimal Implant Placement

The Mako Technology also assists in the optimum placement and alignment of the femoral (thigh bone) prothesis component and the tibial (leg bone) prothesis component. This approach allows smoother joint movement throughout the full range of motion preventing overloading of other parts of the new knee joint. It also aids in balancing the soft tissues around the knee and helps protect the soft tissues and ligaments during surgery.

5. Reduced Recovery Times

The robotic-assisted procedures allow for greater precision and may lead to shorter recovery times as a result of more accurate and less cutting of tissue. The smaller incisions can reduce the pain and increase the comfort during recovery post surgery.

*MAKO Robot-Assisted technology research data

Mako data shows it has a lower revision rate than the same components implanted using any other knee replacement technique.

Evidence also exists to show patients undergoing MAKO Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement commonly have:

  • Less post-operative pain and stiffness

  • Decreased pain medication requirements

  • Faster rehabilitation times

  • Increased range of movement

  • A shorter hospital stay

  • Higher patient satisfaction scores.

Pain Management

After Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery

In recent years Anaesthetists who specialise in pain management and control have substantially improved pain management in relation to Total Knee Replacement surgeries.

There have been major advancements in multi-modal pain management techniques that substantially reduce the pain discomfort from surgery and post-operative recovery. When combined with the post-operative data of MAKO Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement technology patients may experience less pain and require less post-operative pain medication as a result in less soft tissue ‘cutting’ which translates to less pain.

Patients may still experience some mild discomfort. Most patients are generally encouraged to stand and walk within hours of surgery. Please report your pain levels and discomfort to the nursing staff.

A pain management plan will be discussed with you in depth before and after your operation to ensure you are comfortable throughout your recovery and rehabilitation.

If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment, or find out about our location details, please contact the team at the Australian Academy of Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Robotic Knee Replacement Perth – Rehabilitation 

Rehabilitation is a major element in determining a successful outcome of Total Knee Replacement Surgery. Rehabilitation is driven by physiotherapist professionals and the hard work and dedication of the patient to get back to normal activities as fast as possible. The rehabilitation process starts the day of the surgery and is an ongoing process for at least 6 months.

The rehabilitation program may help with:

  • Reducing post-operative pain and stiffness

  • Decreasing pain medication needs

  • Reducing soft tissue healing times

  • Shortening your hospital stay

  • Increasing the range of knee movement

  • Getting back to everyday activities faster

  • Higher levels of patient satisfaction.

Your knee rehabilitation program will be discussed in depth with your surgeon and physiotherapist and designed to meet your specific needs and concerns.

Risks and Complications

As with any major surgery, there are potential risks involved. The decision to proceed with the surgery is made because the advantages of surgery outweigh the potential disadvantages. It is important that you are informed of these risks before the surgery takes place.

Complications can be medical (general) or local complications specific to the Knee. Medical complications include those of the anaesthetic and your general well being. Almost any medical condition can occur so this list is not complete.

Complications may include:

  • Allergic reactions to medications

  • Blood loss requiring a transfusion

  • Infection

  • Blood clots

  • Knee stiffness

  • Wear and tear

  • Bone breaks

  • Wound infection

  • Different cosmetic appearance

  • Leg length inequality

  • Ligament injuries

  • Nerve and blood vessel damage

  • Nerve damage

  • Other complications

Serious medical problems can lead to ongoing health concerns, prolonged hospitalisation or rarely death.

If you have any questions, please contact the team at the Australian Academy of Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Robotic Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists.

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