As we live longer and lead increasingly active lives, joint replacement surgery is becoming a common choice. The abundance of options available can make it challenging to select the right type of joint replacement for your condition. Let’s look at how robotic technology is changing the joint replacement landscape and why it might be your best choice.
What is Robotic Joint Replacement?
Robotic joint replacement is a highly advanced and precise method of surgery that utilizes the use of a robotic arm to help your surgeon enhance the accuracy and precision of the hip or knee joint replacement. Patients should understand that the robot is NOT performing your surgery. Rather, it is a tool to help provide important information about your unique anatomy and conditions to help your surgeon do a great job.
Advantages of Robotic Joint Replacement
- Preoperative Planning: Before the surgery, a detailed 3D model of the patient's joint is created using CT scans. This model allows the surgeon to plan the exact size, placement, and alignment of the joint implant tailored to the patient's unique anatomy.
- Minimizing Human Error: Although surgeons are the decision-makers, robotic systems act as a protective barrier to human mistakes. They offer a layer of security by curbing unintended actions or tremors, thereby boosting the safety of the patient.
- Improved Dexterity: Robotic arms are capable of performing intricate movements that may be difficult for human hands, thereby augmenting the abilities of the surgeon.
- Intraoperative Assistance: During the operation, the robotic arm provides haptic feedback, which provides tactile, visual, and auditory information. This assists the surgeon in removing the damaged bone and cartilage with high precision.
- Implant Positioning: The robotic system guides the surgeon in positioning the implant components according to the preoperative plan. The robotic arm ensures that the placement is accurate to a fraction of a millimeter, which is crucial for the joint's functionality and longevity.1
- Soft Tissue Protection: The robotic arm's movements are controlled within predefined boundaries, which helps to protect the surrounding soft tissues from accidental damage during the surgery
Robotic joint replacement surgery offers several benefits to patients:
- Reduced Pain and Swelling: Added precision with robotic surgery often results in less tissue trauma, which can lead to reduced pain and swelling after the operation.
- Quicker Recovery: Patients may experience a faster return to normal activities and mobility due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.
- Increased Durability: Accurate placement of the implant components can lead to better joint function and longevity
- Decreased Risk of Complications: The enhanced precision may also contribute to a lower risk of complications such as joint dislocation
- Less Need for Revision Surgery: With improved alignment and positioning, there may be a reduced need for future revision surgeries.
Robotic technology offers precise and personalized advantages in hip and knee replacement surgeries. It enhances the accuracy of implant placement, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery times. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Palmer for an in-depth evaluation of your joint condition and find out if you might be a candidate for robotic joint replacement.
AUTHOR: Dr. Christopher W. Palmer, DO is board-certified, fellowship trained Orthopaedic Surgeon at Signature Medical Group in Missouri, specializing in robotic assisted hip and knee replacement. Dr. Palmer has specialized training in the Mako SmartRobotics ™ System with a focus on compassionate, individualized patient care.
Reference:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6585281/
