MAKO Robotic Arm for Knee Replacement
To ensure greater accuracy and precision
Thomas McGovern, MD, a joint replacement specialist, is using the newest MAKO robotic technology to perform partial and full knee replacements. The MAKO technology allows for more precise and custom treatment of the joint.
For a partial joint replacement, as with a full knee replacement, Dr. McGovern starts with a 3D CT scan to map out the joint to ensure a custom fit. Using the robotic arm for the surgery allows Dr. McGovern to be much more precise and does not allow the surgeon to go “outside the lines” of the mapped out boundaries of the part to be replaced. Dr. McGovern has performed thousands of joint replacements in his career as an orthopedic surgeon.
“When patients hear ‘robotic surgery’, they often imagine a robot is now doing the surgery. In actuality, this MAKO robotic arm is a tool I use during surgery to ensure greater accuracy and precision.”
How Long Will My New Knee Replacement Last
Research has shown that the longevity of a knee replacement depends on how precise it is placed during surgery. Even a slight misalignment can result in uneven wear, instability and the increased risk of a future corrective knee replacement surgery.
Individuals who have had knee replacement surgeries in the past decade can typically expect the new joint to last 10 to 15 years. The Custom-Fit technology is expected to last much longer, although due to its newness there is no long term data available yet. This is good news as people are getting knee replacements at younger ages and maintaining an active lifestyle later in life. These people are generally healthy going into the surgery and are able to recover faster following knee replacement surgery.
“Last year approximately 500,000 knee replacement surgeries were done in the United States and that number is expected to quadruple over the next 10 to 15 years,” said Dr. McGovern.
The new technology is one of several advances in recent years in knee replacement surgery, including computer assisted surgery. The Custom-Fit technology is only available for knee replacements at this time, although there is potential for hip replacements in the future.
Call 603-777-1000 to learn more or to book a consultation today.
MAKO Robotics for Partial Knee Replacement – Patient Story