A small number of orthopaedic surgeons in the UK are now using Mako robotic arm assisted technology to perform hip and knee replacements. Andrew Carrothers is one of them.
This state of the art technology has been warmly welcomed by surgeons as it helps them to achieve even better results.
But patients can sometimes feel a little unsure about the idea of a robotic arm being used in the operating theatre. In this article we explain what Mako is, how it works and explore the potential risks and rewards.
What is Mako robotic arm technology?
Mako robotic arm technology has been developed by Stryker to take hip and knee replacement surgery into the next generation. The company worked alongside orthopaedic surgeons to design an innovative system that can be used to pre-plan joint replacement procedures using an exact 3D model of the patient’s unique anatomy.
Mako assists with more accurate positioning of standard implants which helps to improve clinical outcomes. It is used to in hip and knee replacement surgery, which is used to treat severe joint pain due to osteoarthritis or a fracture.
How does Mako work?
Before surgery, patients have a CT scan of the damaged joint. A 3D virtual model of their unique anatomy is loaded into the Mako system software and used to create a personalised pre-operative plan. During surgery, the orthopaedic surgeon guides the robotic arm, using it to prepare the joint to receive the prosthetic implant.
For this reason, Andrew Carrothers describes this Mako assisted surgery as “patient specific implantation”, using tried and tested standardised implants.
The Mako system supports the surgeon to remain within the pre-defined area of the joint, so only damaged or diseased tissue is removed. As a result the implant is positioned in precisely the right place and as much of the patient’s natural joint as possible is retained. If a revision joint replacement is needed at a future date to replace a worn-out prosthesis, then having had an initial Mako assisted joint replacement can reduce the risk of complications and ensure better outcomes.
What are the rewards of undergoing a Mako robotic arm assisted hip or knee replacement?
The rewards of having a Mako procedure include:
- Accuracy – Because the system allows surgeons to create a personalised surgical plan, implants are positioned with even greater accuracy. This is important as even fractional misalignment can cause pain, discomfort and reduced performance.
- Safety – The Mako system supports the skill of the orthopaedic surgeon, helping them to remain within the area identified in their pre-operative planning stage and reducing the chances of human error.
- Minimising stress on soft tissues – Mako maps the natural movement patterns of the joint to reduce stress on soft tissues and ligaments and ensure the joint can move naturally using the artificial implant.
- Fewer complications – Results show fewer prosthesis complications after surgery and shorter rehabilitation times. There may also be reduced blood loss as there is less unnecessary exposed bone surface.
- Reduced risk of implant failure – Improving accuracy helps to reduce the risk of implant failure and potentially the need for revision surgery in the future.
Are there any risks with Mako robotic surgery?
All surgery carries risks and Mako robotic arm assisted hip and knee replacements are no exception. Your surgeon will discuss any potential risks with you but they include:
- Infection – Because a Mako procedure may take slightly longer than a traditional joint replacement, the theoretical risk of infection may be higher. Being highly experienced, having performed over 400 Mako robotic assisted surgeries, Andrew Carrothers’s surgical times are the same for hip and knee Mako assisted surgeries and traditional standard surgeries.
- Human skill – The quality of the initial CT scan and the proficiency of the surgical team will impact on the outcomes achieved from the Mako system. At Carrothers Orthopaedics we are dedicated to staff training and, as early pioneers, we now have considerable experience of Mako joint replacement surgery.
- New technology – Any new technology will have only early evidence data. However, Mako has been used since 2006 and there is an ever growing evidence database within the orthopaedic literature. The implants used are tried and tested prostheses, which negates any additional risks of surgeries using patient specific custom-made prostheses.
Talk to an orthopaedic consultant | Cambridge
If you require a hip or knee replacement and are interested in finding out more about Mako robotic arm assisted surgery, contact us for details.
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For your convenience, we offer appointments at both Nuffield Hospital Cambridge and Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital.
