KNEE SURGERY

MAKO ROBOTIC PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

Meet MAKO Robotic Arm-Assisted Partial Knee Resurfacing – an innovative treatment option designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis. By selectively targeting the part of the knee damaged by osteoarthritis, your surgeon can resurface your knee while sparing the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding it.

It is powered by the RIO Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System, which allows for consistently reproducible precision in performing partial knee resurfacing. During the procedure, the diseased portion of the knee is resurfaced, sparing the patient’s healthy bone and surrounding tissue. An implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again.

Who Would Be A Good Candidate For The MAKO Robotic Arm-Assisted Resurfacing Procedure?
Typically, MAKO Patients Share the Following Characteristics:

Knee pain with activity, usually on the inner knee and/or under the knee cap

Start up knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position

Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication

Benefits of the MAKO Partial Knee Resurfacing Procedure:

Unlike other more invasive procedures, the MAKO Robotic Arm-Assisted procedure can often be performed through a 4-6 inch incision over your knee with small incisions in both your femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin).

Additionally, the preservation of your own natural bone and tissue, along with more ideal patient-specific implant positioning, may result in a more natural feeling knee. Since healthy bone is preserved, patients who undergo MAKO partial knee procedures may still be a candidate for a total knee replacement procedure later in life if necessary.

A total replacement is sometimes necessary if your MAKO-certified surgeon discovers during surgery that your knee has more damage than originally seen in the pre-operative X-rays and CT scan.

Your physician should discuss the specific risks associated with MAKO Robotic Arm-Assisted Technology and other treatment options with you. In addition, you should be informed of any pre-operative and post-operative instructions by your surgeon or his or her staff.

As a knee arthroplasty procedure, MAKO is typically covered by Medicare – check with your private health insurers. In some cases it may be performed on an outpatient basis depending on what your MAKO-certified surgeon determines is the right course of treatment for you.

If I undergo MAKO Robotic Arm-Assisted knee resurfacing, what can I expect?

MAKO robotic procedures can be performed as either an inpatient procedure or an outpatient basis, depending on what your orthopedic surgeon determines is right for you. Hospital stays average anywhere from 1-3 days; ambulatory patients return home the same day. In many cases, patients are permitted to walk soon after surgery, drive a car in the first few weeks and return to normal daily activities shortly thereafter.

MAKO ROBOTIC TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

We are excited to be at the forefront of orthopedic innovation with the latest technology in joint replacement surgery. Meet MAKO, a Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System, now available for total knee replacement procedures with Dr. Akhil Sastry.

HOW IS THIS SYSTEM DIFFERENT?
MAKO Total Knee Replacement was designed to relieve pain in the knee caused by osteoarthritis-related joint degeneration. This technology allows for the most precise adjustments during surgery, because your surgical plan is personalized and based on your unique anatomy. No two patient’s needs are exactly the same when it comes to the body – why should approaching a surgical procedure be any different?

HERE’S HOW THE MAKO APPROACH WORKS:

The process begins with a CT scan of the knee joint, which is used to generate a 3D virtual model of the knee tailored to each patient’s anatomy.
The virtual model is then loaded into the MAKO system and used to create a pre-operative plan. This patient-specific model helps the surgeon determine the appropriate implant size, orientation and alignment, before even entering the operating room.
During surgery, MAKO’s robotic arm is able to guide the surgeon for the best placement and alignment of the implant, while preventing the surgeon from moving outside the planned boundaries.

The MAKO system allows for the highest degree of precision, accuracy and predictability during a knee replacement procedure, and it’s customized to you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is MAKO covered by health insurance providers?

We understand that making sure your total knee replacement is covered by health insurance is important to you. Check with your health insurance provider to verify your specific coverage.

How long has the MAKO procedure been available?

The first MAKO procedure was a partial knee replacement performed in June of 2006. Since that time, over 83,000 MAKO hip and knee replacement procedures have been performed around the world.

Does the the MAKO Robotic Arm actually perform the surgery?

No, the Robotic Arm doesn’t perform the surgery, nor can it make decisions on its own or move without the surgeon guiding it.

How long do knee implants last?

Individual results vary and not all patients will have the same post-operative recovery and activity level. The lifetime of a knee replacement is not infinite and varies with each individual.

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY

GET IN TOUCH

Portsmouth Office
603.431.1121

York Office
207.363.3490

atlanticorthopaedics.org