Mako Robotic Assisted Surgery
One of the questions I often am asked in the office is which implant I use. I typically tell my patients that the success of their operation in terms of how long it lasts and how good it feels is less dependent on which implant is used and much more dependent on how it is implanted. The ultimate goal of a knee replacement is to provide pain relief and improved function. I believe that to achieve this goal, the knee should be “well-balanced.” This means that the implants are placed in such a way as to correct any deformity but also to restore the soft tissues to their pre-disease state.
In robotic-assisted surgery, a CT scan is obtained a few weeks before the operation. A 3-D computer generated model of the knee is created, and the surgery is planned ahead of time. This means positioning the implants to essentially “resurface” the existing bone and correct any deformity. Once we are in surgery, trackers are fixed to the bone and dozens of measurements are taken to match the computer image with the actual bone. This enables me to take some other dynamic measurements of alignment and ligament tension. Then I can adjust the position of the implants on the computer before I make any actual cuts and predict the alignment and soft tissue tension. The robotic arm is simply a precise tool that helps to align the saw blade so that I can cut to the depth and angle that is required to execute the surgical plan.
JointPoint Computer Navigation
Hip replacement surgery is indisputably one of the most cost effective and beneficial operations in terms of quality of life improvement. Many technical advances have made this operation even more safe and reliable. One of the benefits of direct anterior hip replacement is the ease with which we are able to obtain x-ray images during the procedure. The purpose of the images is to ensure proper placement of the implants. JointPoint computer navigation technology provides precise measurements of the trial implants. This helps to avoid improper placement of the socket which can lead to dislocation or early failure of the hip. It also measures changes in leg length which enables me to accomplish my surgical goal of restoring the hip to normal.