If you are experiencing severe knee pain, and it is restricting you from performing daily activities, then it is time for you to undergo knee replacement surgery. Knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged knee joint with an artificial implant. The Joint Replacement surgeon offers two options to undergo knee replacement surgery namely the Conventional method and robotic knee replacement surgery.
Traditional knee replacement surgery is an time tested method and is in practice since 1970’s. Robotic knee replacement surgery is latest technological advancement in the field of joint replacement performed by using an robotic arm and offers more efficiency and precision.
What is Traditional Knee Replacement Surgery?
Traditional knee replacement surgery is also known as the conventional method and is being performed by surgeons world over for several years. To perform this surgery, the surgeon makes an incision using surgical instruments and uses to jigs to make the bone cuts. The planning is based of 2D x-ray images and is completely dependent on the skill of the surgeon to achieve various goals of surgery. The surgeon determines whether proper alignment and balance has been achieved or not.
The entire process will be performed manually by surgeon and his or her expertise is key to the success of the procedure. This is because the surgeon needs to make accurate bone cuts and should ensure proper alignment and balance such that the artificial joint lasts as long as possible.
The conventional method of TKR has helped several patients suffering from knee pain in the past years, But certain percentage of failure of the TKR’s are attributed to surgeon related factors. Secondly 20% of patients post replacement don’t reach the level of satisfaction they hoped for prior to surgery. There are multiple factors that could be contributing to this and the goal of any added technology is to negate as far as possible all the surgeon related factors.
What is Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?
In robotic knee replacement surgery, the surgeon makes use of a robotic arm to perform surgery more precisely. The surgeon uses the virtual model of the patient’s knee using the images generated by a CT scan. Using this 3D model, the surgeon makes a precise preoperative plan, shape matching the femur and tibia to be as accurate as possible. Second big advantage of the robot is, it gives us real time feedback about the predictive gaps that will be created based on the amount of bone that will be cut. This gives the surgeon unique ability to balance the knee before the bone cuts and place the implants in the best alignment possible. Then this plan will be loaded into the robotic arm. The robotic arm powered by haptic feedback and sub mm precision cutting tool assists the surgeon in replacing the damaged joint with the new implant with more precise and accurate manner. The results of this procedure are also more effective and accurate than the traditional method.
What Benefits Do Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery Offer?
The robotic arm has become a new tool for surgeons to perform knee replacement surgery effectively. Robotic knee replacement surgery offers the following benefits. There is mounting evidence to suggest the following
- 3D preoperative planning – Ensures selection of the right sizes of the implants so that there is no over stuffing of the joint.
- Ability to offer a personalized joint to every single patient – We now have the ability to assess and categorise patients in various native phenotypes and reproduce the same personalized native anatomy of every single patient.
- Minimal soft tissue trauma : The robots ability to alter the position of the implant within certain boundaries to balance the knee reduces the quantum of soft tissue releases required. The robotic cutting tool is guided by a haptic boundary which prevents excursion of the blade into tissues reducing soft tissue trauma.
- Better outcomes: Several studies have shown that patients who had robotic knee replacement surgery are having less pain, less pain medication requirement, shorter hospital stay and faster time is to recover.
- Better patient satisfaction: All the above mentioned advantages translate to better patient experience, less discomfort post surgery.
- Long-term results: There is new data emerging from other countries like Australia, that the revision rate and failure rate post robotic knee replacement is better than conventional knee replacement.
Who is Suitable for Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?
Patients who have qualified for traditional knee replacement surgery are also good candidates for robotic knee replacement surgery and our experience has shown the more complex the knee the more added advantage of using the robot.
Planning for Knee Replacement Surgery? Consult Dr Suhas Masilamani to Know Your Options
If you or your loved one has been suffering from severe knee pain and non-surgical methods did not relieve your signs, visit Dr Suhas Masilamani today. He is one of the most well-known and experienced joint replacement surgeons in Hyderabad. He has performed several knee replacement surgeries and helped patients improve their quality of life. He offers personalized treatment for your knee based on your condition. He initially suggests medications and non-surgical methods to treat your knee. If those treatments do not work, then only he suggests undergoing the surgery. To discuss your treatment options, call us and schedule an appointment with Dr Suhas Masilamani.