The Mako system supports orthopaedic surgeons to perform total knee replacements with greater accuracy than ever before, resulting in even better outcomes for patients.
Mako robotic-arm assisted technology is used both in the operating theatre to support the surgical team and beforehand to plan the total knee replacement procedure, based on the patient’s unique joint structure. It does not replace the skill of the orthopaedic surgeon but, rather, it complements and enhances it using state-of-the-art robotic technology to plan and assist in the execution of the total knee replacement procedure with pinpoint precision.
Only the most advanced technologically minded orthopaedic surgeons currently offer the new surgical technology but among those that do, Mako is acknowledged as a game-changer in joint replacement surgery.
Here’s how it works.
Prior to surgery
Total knee replacement surgery is generally offered to patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the knee whose condition is causing severe pain and significant loss of mobility.
Prior to total knee replacement surgery, a CT scan of the diseased joint is performed. This information is uploaded into the Mako system software and a 3D image of the joint is created. This provides invaluable information for the surgeon, as everyone’s anatomy is unique. It enables them to pre-plan the joint replacement procedure with absolute precision, almost certainly resulting in better and more predictable outcomes.
During surgery
During surgery, Mako is used to assist the orthopaedic surgeon to stay within the surgical boundaries that were defined in the pre-operative plan. The surgeon guides the Mako robotic arm to cut away diseased bone and cartilage, making minor adjustments as necessary but remaining within the pre-determined area.
Once the joint has been prepared, the prosthetic implant can be precisely positioned and fixed in place. By ensuring a completely accurate fit in this way, problems can be avoided later on, such as pain from ligaments wearing against the prosthetic implant because the positioning is fractionally out.
“Mr Carrothers is a brilliant consultant and all-round top bloke! He sorted me out with a new left hip in July 2019 and he’s all the things that the other reviews say – kind, empathetic, reassuring and excellent at orthopaedic surgery. He explained things in a clear, uncomplicated way, answered all my questions and was just lovely and calming in our chat the morning of my operation. Big up to Carol too! And all the Hip Op Crew who work with him to make wonderful things happen.
Please note, 7 week post-surgery you may experience such side-effects as a ridiculous amount of smiling and all-round joy at not being in pain. PS – I’d been in chronic pain for over 5 years before I had my surgery and I was 42 years old at the time of my hip replacement. I wish you all the very best in whatever your next steps are to help improve your quality of life. If you do decide to have surgery, Mr Carrothers is the very best!”
Benefits of Mako robotic arm assisted knee replacements
Mako robotic-arm assisted technology has multiple benefits, many of which have been proven in laboratory studies. These include:
- Greater precision and more consistent, predictable results.
- Improved comfort for patients and less damage to ligaments and soft tissues.
- Faster recovery times as patients spend less time on the operating table and the procedure is generally less invasive than conventional surgical techniques.
- Less pain – according to patient surveys conducted six months after surgery, Mako patients report lower pain scores than patients who underwent conventional surgery.
- Higher patient satisfaction scores are also reported among Mako patients.
- Preservation of as much healthy bone and tissue as possible means that if a revision knee replacement is required in the future, the procedure is likely to be more successful.
As with any surgical procedure, there are also some risks. However, Mako robotic arm-assisted total knee replacement surgery carries no more risks than conventional knee replacement surgery. In fact, less time spent on the operating table generally means a reduced level of risk and faster recovery time.
The combination of surgical expertise and Mako precision technology helps in the ethos of striving to achieve unparalleled results in total joint replacement surgery.
For more information you can check out our Mako page, which provides Patient Reviews and links to other useful articles for your continued research.
Of course, we are happy to answer any questions too, if you contact us via phone or email to arrange an initial appointment.
