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What is Robotic Joint Replacement?
Robotic joint replacement is a remarkable advancement in the field of orthopaedic surgery. While the term might suggest that a robot performs the procedure, the reality is quite different. The surgeon remains fully in control at every stage—the robotic system simply serves as a highly sophisticated tool that enhances precision and accuracy. I often explain it using the example of GPS navigation: when you’re driving, the GPS doesn’t take over the car, but it helps guide you, offering real-time insights to make sure you’re on the right path. In a similar way, robotic assistance allows us to create a 3D model of the patient’s joint before surgery and provides live feedback during the operation. This helps ensure that the implant is positioned with exceptional accuracy, which can lead to better alignment, less trauma to surrounding tissue, a quicker recovery, and improved long-term outcomes. It’s a perfect blend of human expertise and technological innovation working together for the patient’s benefit.
How It Works
Preoperative Planning
A 3D model of the patient’s joint is created from CT/MRI scans.
Surgeons customize the implant size, position, and bone cuts for optimal fit and alignment.
Intraoperative Guidance
The robotic system tracks the surgery in real-time, acting like a “GPS” for precise cuts.
It provides haptic feedback, preventing deviations from the plan.
Enhanced Accuracy & Adjustments
Adjusts for soft tissue shifts during surgery.
Ensures perfect implant alignment, reducing wear and improving long-term results.
Types of Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeries
• Total Knee Replacement (TKR) – The entire knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant.
• Partial Knee Replacement (PKR) – Only the damaged part of the knee is replaced, preserving healthy tissue.
Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement
• Used to replace the femoral head and acetabulum with a prosthetic implant.
• Ensures optimal leg length and joint stability for improved mobility.
Leading Robotic Systems in Joint Replacement
Several advanced robotic platforms are being used in modern orthopaedic surgery, including:
• MAKO Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery – One of the most popular systems for hip and knee replacements.
• VELYS Robotic Arm assisted surgery
• CORI Robotic surgical system
• CUVIS Robotic assisted surgical system
• ROSA (Robotic Surgical Assistant)
• NAVIO Surgical System
It’s a technical revolution and more systems are being made available every year with advanced softwares and modules.
Who Can Benefit from Robotic Joint
Replacement?
You may be offered knee replacement surgery if:
- Robotic-assisted joint replacement is ideal for patients suffering from:
- • Severe osteoarthritis or joint degeneration
- • Chronic joint pain affecting daily activities
- • Deformities or misalignment in the joint
Recovery After Robotic Joint Replacement
• Shorter hospital stays
Robotic surgery is more precise, causing less damage to surrounding tissues. This helps patients recover faster and leave the hospital sooner.
• Less post-operative pain and reduced need for pain medications
The accuracy of robotic tools minimizes trauma during surgery, leading to less swelling and discomfort. As a result, patients often need fewer painkillers.
• Faster return to mobility with early physical therapy
Robotic joint replacement allows for better implant placement, which supports quicker healing. This enables patients to start moving and doing therapy earlier.
• Longer-lasting implants due to improved alignment and balance
Robots help surgeons place implants with high precision, improving joint alignment. This reduces wear and tear, helping the new joint last longer.
Possible Risks :-
Knee replacement is one of the most successful operations done on millions of patients worldwide. As with any operation, knee replacement surgery has risks as well as benefits. Most people who have a knee replacement do not have serious complications.
After having a knee replacement, contact your doctor if you get:
Hot, Reddened, Hard or Painful areas in your leg in the first few weeks after your operation. Although this may just be bruising from the surgery, it could mean you have DVT (deep vein thrombosis) – a blood clot in the leg.
Chest pains or Breathlessness- Although it’s very rare, you could have a blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolism) which needs urgent treatment.
To reduce your risk of blood clots, you’ll be given blood-thinning medicine and compression stockings. Moving your legs as soon as you can after the operation is one of the best ways to prevent blood clots. Check with a physiotherapist what you should be doing.
Infection – Knee replacement surgery is done in an ultra-clean operating theatre and antibiotics are given during the operation. But in less than 1 in every 100 operations, an infection may still happen. Very rarely, the knee replacement may need to be “washed out” or a new replacement may be used.
It’s normal for the wound to be slightly red and warm to touch while healing. However, if you feel unwell, the pain is getting worse or the wound starts to leak fluid, contact the specialist.
Before the Surgery –
After your decision to go in for a joint replacement you should be aware of the basic things to be done before surgery. Such as –
- Suitable prosthesis for you.
- The cost of your prosthesis.
- Total Hospital stay & cost of hospital stay.
- The Blood, Heart and Chest investigations.
- Get these investigations 1 week before the date of surgery & get them checked by a physician.
- It is necessary to confirm that there is no active infection in your body.
- If you have medical insurance, you should contact hospital’s Billing and Insurance Desk at least one week before surgery with your policy documents.
- You should show the drugs which you are already taking. Some types of medicines like steroids & blood thinning medicines are to be stopped 5-7 days prior to surgery.
- For admission in hospital take admission letter from your surgeon.
- You may be advised to get admitted 1-2 days prior to the surgery. Take all investigations report, previous medical records & drugs with you.
Recovery :-
Recovery times can vary depending on the individual and type of surgery. It’s important to follow the advice the hospital gives you on looking after your knee.
Physiotherapy is very important after Knee replacement surgery. As part of Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERAS) – you will be mobilized on the same day after surgery. Initially, you’ll feel discomfort while walking and exercising, and your legs and feet may be swollen.
You may need to do physiotherapy with help of Physiotherapist for 4-6 weeks after surgery. It is also recommended to use walking stick/walker all the time for first 4 weeks and while going outside for first 2 months.
The physiotherapy protocol will be handed over to you and it’s important that the Physiotherapist stick to the given protocol.
You must take regular round the clock painkillers as prescribed by doctor. It will help in you recovery.
Note :- Wear your DVT stockings for 6 weeks after surgery.
Are You Ready To Start?
Dr. Vinayak Ghanate
( MBBS, D-Orth, DNB Orth, FRCS T&O, Edinburgh, UK, Fellowship in Arthroplasty )
Dr. Vinayak Ghanate is a Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK. He is a certified specialist in Hip & Knee reconstruction and Revision Joint replacement surgery. He performs primary and revision total knee replacement, Total hip replacement. Dr. Ghanate also performs partial knee replacement and minimally invasive and Robotic total joint surgery.