Osteoarthritis of the knee is a painful condition caused by loss of cartilage in the knee joint which prevents the bones from moving smoothly over each other, resulting in pain, stiffness and loss of function.
As the condition worsens, the pain can become disabling and this can significantly impact your quality of life. Although osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that cannot be cured, there is a number of effective treatments – both surgical and non-surgical – that can help you to manage the symptoms and continue to live a full and active life.
As we begin 2024, Carrothers Orthopaedics is excited to be one of the pioneers of the next generation of Mako Total Knee Replacement SmartRobotics, which means outcomes for patients undergoing knee replacement surgery will improve still further. See below for more details.
Here is a round-up of the treatments available to you if you have knee osteoarthritis. Your orthopaedic surgeon will be able to discuss which of these might be most appropriate for you, which will be based on a range of different factors including the severity of your condition your age and general state of health and your lifestyle. If you would like more one-to-one advice please contact us.
Non-surgical treatments
In the early stages of the disease, knee arthritis is normally treated non-surgically. To relieve pain and inflammation you may need to avoid activity that causes stress to the knee joint, such as running or jumping. This doesn’t mean avoiding exercise altogether, though, as it is important to keep using the joint to maintain flexibility and movement. A physiotherapist will be able to recommend exercises to improve the range of motion and strength of your knee. Wearing a brace may provide more stability to the joint, as well as using walking aids for support, and if you are overweight then losing excess weight will reduce stress on the knee. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories may be offered to help you manage the symptoms and, as the knee joint deteriorates, you may be offered therapeutic injections directly into the knee joint to control pain and promote healing.
Surgical treatments
Once non-surgical treatments fail to provide sufficient pain relief, your doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery. Depending on which part of the knee is affected, you may be offered a partial or a total knee replacement. This entails removing the damaged part of the knee and replacing it with a prosthetic implant. Carrothers Orthopaedics is one of a growing number of orthopaedic surgeons worldwide using Mako SmartRobotics technology to improve outcomes for joint replacement patients. To date we have performed nearly 700 Mako joint replacement surgeries, including partial and total knee replacements.
What makes Mako different from conventional joint replacement surgery is its advanced computer software package which enables the surgeon to pre-plan the joint replacement procedure with extreme 3D accuracy in advance. Using a CT scan of the affected joint, it creates a detailed picture of the patient’s unique anatomy. This allows the prosthetic implant to be more accurately templated and aligned to your pre-diseased joint biomechanics. Alongside this bespoke implantation, Mako’s other ground-breaking feature is an innovative robotic arm which is used to support the surgeon on the operating table in the execution of the planned surgery. While it cannot function independently of the surgeon, the robotic arm helps to guide the surgeon and improve accuracy by ensuring they remain within the boundaries of the surgical pre-plan.
Mako Total Knee 2.0 – The next generation of knee replacements
Mako Total Knee 2.0 builds on the success of Mako technology to date by introducing a range of improvements that make it even easier for surgeons to use. These include a digital tensioner so surgeons can assess the knee’s stability during total knee replacement surgery without the need for any additional surgical instruments. The robotics have also been made easier to use, with greater precision and control. All of this translates into a better experience for the patient, a reduced risk of complications and improved outcomes.
For more information about partial and total knee replacement surgery, as well as non-surgical treatments, contact us. Andrew Carrothers is a leading orthopaedic surgeon specialising in Mako joint replacement surgery – one of only a handful in Cambridge and London.
Talk to an orthopaedic consultant | Cambridge
We are always happy to provide information and guidance about the various treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, including Mako robotic arm assisted surgery and conventional surgery.
For more information, please contact us.
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For your convenience, we offer appointments at both Nuffield Hospital Cambridge and Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital.
