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 (916) 758-4774 or use our Find a Doctor tool to connect with a Mako-trained specialist.