When it comes to evaluating the benefits of robotic knee replacement surgery, Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center has a unique perspective.

In fact, we were the first in the nation to use ROSA (Robotic Surgical Assistant) to perform outpatient knee replacement surgery! Dr. Trevor Pickering, who performed the surgery, noted that ROSA is invaluable for its precision.

But what are the specific benefits of robotic knee replacement surgery? Read on to find out more about this exciting technological advance.

Understanding Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery

Arthritis is the most common reason for patients seeking help in eliminating the pain and stiffness they experience while walking, climbing stairs or bending down. In other cases, patients have suffered a serious injury. Some patients need their entire knee joint replaced, while others require a partial joint replacement.

The general procedure of robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery is the same as “traditional” knee replacement surgery. Damaged knee bone and cartilage are replaced with an artificial joint, typically made from metal and plastic.

Prior to the robotic knee replacement, the surgeon studies a 3-D scan of the knee joint, placing tracking pins in the image so that the robotic arm can position itself with immense precision. This allows the surgeon using the tool to make exactly the right cuts, even if something changes during the procedure itself.

Benefits of Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery

While only an experienced surgeon can give you the best outcome possible for your knee replacement surgery, the inclusion of robotics provides additional benefits, such as:

Enhanced precision and accuracy
Pinpoint precision planning to remove and replace parts or all of the knee joint, plus specialized alignment positioning, result in to-the-millimeter precision.

Personalized treatment
Every knee joint is unique, and every instance of knee damage is specific to the patient. That’s why the specialized 3-D imaging, along with the positioning abilities of the robotic arm, mean that patients receive replacement knee parts that are incredibly specific to their anatomy.

Improved recovery
Because the incisions used in robotic knee surgery are much more targeted, and the replacement joint is precisely aligned, patients generally recover more quickly than those who’ve had traditional knee replacements.

Misconceptions About Robotic Surgery

We’re all familiar with science fiction movies in which robots wreak havoc on humanity. But in real life, robotic surgery options are anything but scary. It’s important to overcome the misconceptions about this exciting innovation.

Myth No. 1: Robots replace surgeons in the operating room

The reality is that robots are simply valuable tools – not replacements.

Data shows that the surgeons using robotics are among the most experienced surgeons in the country, with the highest volume of the types of operations they perform.

Myth No. 2: Less experienced surgeons “cheat” with robotics

Rather than simply “pressing play” and letting robots do their jobs, surgeons use the highly sophisticated computers attached to these robotic arms to plan and assist their surgeries.

Why Robotic Knee Surgery Is Transforming Patient Outcomes

The implementation of robotics in the operating room has changed the game in countless ways. When it comes to full or partial knee joint replacements, specifically, robotics not only improves patient outcomes but also permits more people to be considered viable candidates for the surgery.

Access for younger patients
Because traditional knee replacement surgeries normally have a shelf life of only 10 to 15 years, younger patients were often turned away from this life-changing procedure. But the precision of the robotic version achieves such perfect placement that outcomes are significantly improved. That pinpoint alignment also allows younger patients to have “cementless” knee replacements. This method takes advantage of the ability of younger patients’ bones to fuse with the new parts. Younger people with arthritic conditions, as well as those who’ve suffered injuries, no longer have to wait decades in order to be candidates for knee replacement surgery.

Improved patient satisfaction
In addition, the benefits of robotic knee replacement surgery extend to improved patient satisfaction across the board. It’s becoming much more common for these procedures to be done as an outpatient procedure, reducing the potential time and expense of a hospital stay.

Decreased recovery time
The recovery time from a robotic knee replacement is also decreased. For example, physical therapy can also begin as outpatient treatment. That means that patients are able to resume their normal life much more quickly than a few years ago, when both the procedure and rehabilitation might happen during the hospital stay.

Experience the Future of Knee Replacement: Better Outcomes, Faster Recovery

There’s no question that the advent of robotics represents a great leap forward for patients in need of joint replacements. But this exciting innovation needs to be paired with surgeons who have the experience and training to best utilize this medical technology.

Mississippi Sports and Orthopaedic Center can tell you more about why the advent of ROSA and other technological advances offer more precision during the surgery itself, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery.

Robotic technology to ensure better outcomes during knee replacement surgery is definitely not futuristic fiction – but it can improve your future! If you’re in need of knee replacement surgery to improve your range of motion and overall quality of life, visit our website to schedule an appointment.