Mako Knee surgery is one of the latest innovations in medical science. It is a minimally invasive option for patients seeking to maintain their knee function. The procedure can be done with a much lower risk of infection, pain, or loss of mobility. The surgical procedure is typically completed in about an hour and has significantly less bruising, swelling, and risk of postoperative infections than traditional methods. With the Mako procedure, you will experience a better range of motion, less pain, and have a quicker recovery time when compared with traditional surgery.
History of the Mako Knee Surgery
The history of Mako Knee Surgery began with the development of the robotic arm. Using a robotic arm for surgical purposes was first proposed in the 1960s. However, it was not until the early 2000s that significant progress began to be made in this area. In 2002, a team of researchers led by Dr. David Maimon published an article that used a robotic arm to remove kidney stones from patients with minimal trauma. The success of this procedure opened doors to the possibility of using robotic arms for surgical purposes. It set off a chain reaction that resulted in several advancements in medical technology over the next decade and a half.
What Led to Mako Knee Surgery?
In 2005, two unrelated events occurred leading up to the development of Mako Knee Surgery. First, modern robotic technology was made available to many physicians and surgeons. Second, the rise of minimally invasive knee surgery provided them with a new option for treating knee problems. Some researchers believed that the robotic arm would be best used for minimally invasive surgical procedures.
However, it was soon realized that robotics would not offer the precision and accuracy of traditional surgery. To overcome this difficulty, researchers began using automated systems to allow a surgeon to use a 3-D CT scan to guide them in performing a procedure. The new system significantly improved the chances of success without compromising on quality. Today, there are several different types of automated systems that surgeons can use.
Who Performs Mako Knee Surgery?
Highly certified and skilled surgeons perform Mako Knee Surgery. A surgeon who has undergone training will have the skills and experience to keep your recovery time to a minimum. They will analyze your problem and decide on the best course of action for your specific situation. The analysis will combine their experience with the most current research conducted on the topic.
Some surgeons may reject specific procedures when their experience indicates that a better option exists. The importance of searching for a qualified surgeon is critical with any procedure, especially with recent advancements in minimally invasive surgery.
Difference Between Traditional Knee Replacement and Mako Knee Surgery
Traditional knee replacement is invasive and involves making significant cuts in both your thigh and calf muscles. It typically takes multiple days to finish this type of surgery due to the need for rest between each procedure.
Unlike traditional surgery, this type of procedure can be completed during one visit, and you will not need to stay in the hospital overnight. Also, there are no major incisions or cuts required in your muscles. Your doctor will use robotic arms and other minimally invasive techniques to perform robotic-assisted surgery on you. It will significantly reduce the amount of bruising, swelling, and risk of infection that you experience.
Also, as noted earlier, it is a minimally invasive procedure used for replacing knee parts. It is performed using robotic arms guided by a computer to ensure accuracy during the process. After this type of surgery, the recovery time can range from several weeks to just a few weeks.
Using this procedure a surgeon takes a 3-D scan of the patient’s knee. This scan then creates an image that allows them to plan what joints need to be repaired and replaced.
The surgeon will cut away pieces of your damaged cartilage and insert new pieces of plastic or metal into their place. This can be done with minimal trauma to your muscles and tissue. The robot is then used to position the implants precisely in their proper place.
Finally, the surgeon will secure the implants into place. They may also use staples or sutures to ensure these replacements stay precisely where they need to be. Using this type of surgery, patients can expect a considerably shorter recovery time and less pain than they would experience during traditional surgeries.
Who Needs It?
For those who have severe knee pain or stiffness resulting from injuries or osteoarthritis, Mako Knee Surgery can significantly reduce your symptoms.
It is also a good choice for patients who need surgery to remove bone cancer or bone tumors. In general, men and women over the age of eighteen with knee pain can benefit from it as well.
Older adults can also use this type of surgery as an option for treating knee arthritis issues. Many patients have also had successful procedures for their knees that sports injuries or congenital problems have damaged.
What Are the Risks?
As with all surgeries, there are some risks. However, these risks are typically nominal and not life-threatening. Risks include infection and bleeding. You may also experience nerve damage, increased pain, scarring, or stiffness in your knee joint.
What Can I Expect After Surgery?
After surgery, you will need to avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing for a few days until the swelling has subsided.
If you remain moderately active after the procedure, you can expect a faster recovery rate. However, you should avoid physical activity that involves running or other athletic activities for at least a few weeks.
You may need to repeat the surgery if your pain increases after your first surgery. It is because the artificial parts used in your original surgery have failed, and a new set must be implanted.
Because Mako Knee Surgery can relieve the knee joint’s pain, stiffness, and improve its function, patients typically can return to their regular activities as early as a few days after their procedure.
The Future of Mako Knee Surgery
Like all advanced forms of surgery, Mako Knee Surgery is still being perfected by surgeons. New versions are being developed and improved upon each year. Early versions of Mako Knee Surgery were limited because they required much more specialized instruments and tools.
In addition, early versions of this procedure were also unable to stimulate knee joint cartilage growth as current methods do. Many of the issues of the early versions of robotic-assisted surgery were resolved by improving the computer technology used to perform the surgery, along with streamlining the tools needed for the procedure
As early as 2013, surgeons were able to use a computer-guided robotic system limited only by the size of the bone fragments. The slight adjustment improved sensitivity and accuracy for surgeons performing Mako Knee Surgery. Besides improving accuracy, newer versions of this type of procedure have also undergone a significant increase in the number of patients who have been successfully treated.
