The first thing to realize is that joint pain is very common. We all suffer from some form of joint pain throughout the period of our lifetime. When it starts interfering with your daily activities, you may want to consider speaking to a specialist.

The ideal time to consider surgery is when your daily activities are limited. So if you're requiring an assist device, such as a cane in order to get around or doing the things you love to do, then it may be time to discuss surgery as a treatment option.

The best way to find any kind of specialist, but especially an orthopedic specialist, is to find someone who is very patient-centric. How do you find that person? Dr. Robinson provides options on where to start.  

There are always other options beside surgery. Surgery is at the end of the line when we have become effectively debilitated by an injury. Dr. Robinson offers options such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and others. 

The primary surgical option for treating end stage knee arthritis is a total knee replacement. There are two main surgical methods - a standard mechanical approach or through robotic-assisted technology, such as MAKOplasty. 

The MAKO robot is a preferred method, because of the reproducibility of the total knee. It provides leeway when planning a surgery and allows for even the smallest changes in order to perfect the surgical plan. The benefit to the patient is a more well-balanced knee, which should lead to less inflammation and a joint that’s more inline with their natural mechanics.

First, using the robot allows me to make a personalized plan for each patient. The surgeon’s role during the surgery is to actually control the robot.

Dignity Health in the Sacramento region has dialed in orthopedic care. What that means for the patient is a better experience, and then ultimately a better outcome.