Robot-arm-assisted surgery allows doctors to perform otherwise open procedures in a minimally invasive way, with more flexibility and control than possible with conventional techniques— allowing you to return to doing the things you love faster.

Mako SmartRobotics™ Systems have been designed for use in joint arthroplasty, including

• Partial knee replacements
• Total knee replacements
• Total hip replacements

How It Works

• A CT scan before the surgery is used to build a 3D model of the patient’s joint, making each procedure truly patient- specific
• Computerized mapping along with the robotic arm helps ensure the best possible alignment
• The robotic arm also provides tactile, visual and auditory feedback to assist the surgeon in achieving the desired orientation, which can enhance stability and mobility for optimal precision

Benefits

Robotic systems offer numerous advantages including:

Accuracy and Reproducibility

• Consistent reproducible precision
• More accurate implant placement
• Lower risk of injury to adjacent tissues
• More natural feeling, better long-term function

Greater Bone Preservation

• With Mako, the arm will only operate in an envelope of space predefined by the CT image
• No chance of an instrument slipping and injuring adjacent tissues
• Mako’s AccuStop™ haptic technology allows the surgeon to cut precisely what’s planned to help protect the patient’s healthy bone

Low Revision/Failure Rates

• Produces more consistent ligament balance and has a lower revision rate compared to conventional techniques
• Precise preparation of the fixation surface helps ensure better bone ingrowth

Less Post-Operative Pain

• With smaller incisions and better precision, patients experience less pain in recovery
• Less dependence on painkillers, reduces the risk of addiction

Implant Survivorship

• Robotic-assisted joint replacements have been found to have high survivorship and high satisfaction rates at short-term follow-up

Who is a Candidate? 

Those who suffer from degenerative joint disease and the pain no longer responds to medication and other non-surgical treatments, robotically-assisted orthopedic surgery may be the next step.

Total Hip Replacement may be recommended for those who experience:

• Pain while putting weight on the affected hip
• Limping to lessen the weight-bearing pressure on the affected hip
• Pain that may radiate to the groin, lower back, or down the thigh to the knee

Total Knee Replacement may be the best option for those who experience:

• Knee pain that interferes with daily activity, and is persistent even at rest

Partial Knee Replacement may be the best option for those who suffer from:

• Knee pain with activity, usually on the inner knee and/or under the kneecap, or the outer knee
• Start-up knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position

Take the Next Step

Dignity Health is a regional leader in robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery.