Mako Total Knee Replacement
Over the years, knee replacement techniques and technology have undergone countless improvements. Mako Technology was designed to help surgeons provide patients with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and anatomy.
Am I a Candidate for Mako Total Knee Replacement?
Mako Total Knee Replacement may be the best option for you if you suffer from:
- Knee pain that interferes with daily activity, and is persistent even at rest
- Start-up knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position
- Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
How Mako Total Knee Replacement Works
With Mako Total Knee Replacement, surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon who uses the Mako System software to pre-plan your surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon will guide the Mako robotic-arm to remove diseased bone and cartilage. Then the surgeon will insert a Triathlon Total Knee implant.
With over a decade of clinical history, Triathlon single-radius knees are different than traditional knee replacements because they are designed to work with the body to promote natural-like circular motion. This is due to the single radius design of the knee implant. Single radius means that as your knee flexes, the radius is the same, similar to a circle, potentially requiring less effort from your quadriceps muscle.
Benefits of Mako
In clinical studies, Mako Partial Knee resulted in:
- More accurate bone removal and implant placement, which may result in improved outcomes and functioning of the knee
- Less pain in the days and weeks following surgery
- Shorter hospital stay
- Quicker recovery, where 9 out of 10 patients were walking without an aid three weeks after surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Mako covered by health insurance providers?
A: We understand that making sure your total knee replacement is covered by health insurance is important to you. Check with your health insurance provider to verify your specific coverage.
Q: How long has the Mako procedure been available?
A: The first Mako procedure was a partial knee replacement performed in June 2006. Since that time, over 83,000 Mako hip and knee replacement procedures have been performed around the world.
Q: Does the Mako robotic-arm actually perform surgery?
A: No, the robotic-arm doesn’t perform surgery, nor can it make decisions on its own or move without the surgeon guiding it.
Q: How long do knee implants last?
A: Individual results vary and not all patients will have the same postoperative recovery and activity level. The lifetime of a knee replacement is not infinite and varies with each individual.
Take the Next Step
If you think orthopedic surgery may be the solution for your pain, call Dignity Health in Sacramento at (916) 758-4774 for a referral to a Mako-trained specialist.