We understand that making sure you know what to expect from the joint replacement experience is important to you. As you are reading through this material and you have additional questions, reach out to us to discuss.
Each patient is unique, and can experience joint pain for different reasons. It’s important to talk to us about the reason for your knee pain so you can understand the treatment options available to you. Pain from arthritis and joint degeneration can be constant or come and go, occur with movement or after a period of rest, or be located in one spot or many parts of the body. It is common for patients to try medication and other conservative treatments to treat their knee pain. If you haven’t experienced adequate relief with those treatment options, you may be a candidate for Mako partial knee replacement, which may provide you with relief from your knee pain.
How Mako Technology Works
Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology provides you with a personalized surgical plan based on your unique anatomy. First, a CT scan of the diseased knee joint is taken. This CT scan is uploaded into the Mako System software, where a 3D model of your knee will be created. This 3D model will be used to pre-plan and assist your surgeon in performing your partial knee replacement.
In the operating room, your surgeon follows the personalized surgical plan while preparing the bone for the implant. The Mako system guides your surgeon within the pre-defined area and helps prevent the surgeon from moving outside the planned boundaries. This helps to provide more accurate placement and alignment of your implant.1
- Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted partial knee replacement is a treatment option for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis (OA) that has not yet progressed to all three compartments of the knee. Depending on where the arthritis affects the knee, patients may have an implant inserted in any of the following areas:
Step 1. Knee CT Scan
Step 2. Knee Personalized Planning
It’s important to understand that the surgery is performed by an orthopaedic surgeon, who guides the surgeon-controlled robotic-arm during the surgery to position the implant in the knee joint. The Mako Robotic-Arm does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own, or move in any way without the surgeon guiding the robotic-arm. The Mako System also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Partial Knee Replacement
General Indications: Partial knee replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative and post-traumatic arthritis, and for moderate deformity of the knee.
Contraindications: Partial knee replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe instability of the knee, or excessive body weight.
Common Side Effects of Knee Replacement Surgery: As with any surgery, knee replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death.
Implant related risks which may lead to a revision of the implant include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, wear of the implant, metal sensitivity, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), and reaction to particle debris. Partial knee implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint.
The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is right for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will receive the same postoperative activity level. The lifetime of a joint replacement is not infinite and varies with each individual. Your doctor will help counsel you about how to best maintain your activities in order to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device. Such strategies include not engaging in high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. Ask your doctor if Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery is right for you.
Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Mako, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respected owners or holders.
References
- Anthony, Ian, Bell, Stuart W., Blyth, Mark, Jones, Bryn, MacLean, Angus, Rowe, Philip. Improved accuracy of component positioning with robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Volume 98-A: Number 8. April 20, 2016. pp 627-35.
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Copyright © 2016 Stryker Corporation
Mako Procedure Benefits
Mako is a minimally invasive procedure focused on getting you back to the activities you love as quickly as possible. There are a number of reasons why patients choose Mako over total knee replacement. Benefits include:
- Quicker knee pain relief
- Better surgical outcomes
- Faster recovery
- Shorter hospital stay
- Smaller incision, less scarring and blood loss
- More “natural” feeling knee post-surgery
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Lastly, Mako boasts only a 0.4% failure rate two years after surgery. That’s nine times lower than manual partial knee replacements (PKRs). 89% of patients say they are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their results two years after the procedure.
Why choose St. Luke’s Medical Center for my Mako procedure?
While St. Luke’s Medical Center offers advanced surgical capabilities, surgeons and patients alike feel that there’s more to the picture. Over the years, surgeons and the nursing staff at the Center for Orthopaedic Innovation have collaborated to develop programs, education and processes that result in the highest quality patient experience.
When you visit St. Luke’s Medical Center, you’ll find that the care you receive is personalized. Clear and open lines of communication between surgeons, nurses and physical therapists mean you get the custom-tailored treatment you deserve.
What is the Mako recovery experience like?
One of the main benefits of Mako is that patients can typically walk the same day. Prior to your surgery, you’ll be given instructions on how to care for your resurfaced knee. Outpatient physical therapy usually begins one week after the Mako procedure, or when deemed appropriate by your surgeon. Most patients can drive 7-10 days following the procedure and many will be able to return to a normal lifestyle 1-4 weeks post-surgery.
Will I need intensive physical therapy to recover from the Mako procedure?
Joints and muscle tissue are always weaker after surgery – even after minimally invasive procedures like Mako. Physical therapy is strongly advised following robotic partial knee resurfacing. Our Motion Academy Total Joint Replacement class will teach you important exercises to “pre-habilitate” your knee before your surgery actually takes place. After surgery, our physical therapists will work with you to target those muscles that need rehabilitation. For patients who live nearby St. Luke’s Medical Center, we invite you to take advantage of the outpatient physical therapy services here at the hospital. The physical therapy schedule, for most Mako patients, is much less intensive than it is for patients who have had a total knee replacement (TKR).
Is Mako covered by my insurance plan?
Most private and Medicare-approved insurance plans do cover Mako robotic partial knee resurfacing, as it is a necessary knee arthroplasty procedure. Contact your insurance provider for more information, or view a list of health insurance plans accepted at St. Luke’s Medical Center.
For more information about Mako robotic partial knee resurfacing, please call the Center for Orthopaedic Innovation at St. Luke’s Medical Center at 602-251-8682. For a referral to an orthopaedic surgeon, call 1-877-351-WELL (9355).