Partial knee replacement is a minimally invasive procedure that may be an appropriate solution for patients who have early to mid-stage osteoarthritis in just one or two compartments of the knee. At Yuma Regional Medical Center, this procedure is performed using a proven technology called MAKOplasty that utilizes the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System. Yuma Regional Medical Center is the only hospital between Phoenix, AZ and San Diego, CA that uses this technology.
Here are some commonly asked questions about the use of MAKOplasty technology in partial knee replacement procedures:
What are the advantages of MAKOplasty?
RIO® assists the surgeon in achieving natural knee motion and optimal results at a level of precision previously unattainable with conventional instrumentation. The use of this technology enables surgeons to save as much of the original knee as possible, including healthy bone and ligaments, since only the diseased portion of the knee is resurfaced. Procedures utilizing MAKOplasty technology can be performed individually on any one of the three knee compartments: the inside (medial), behind the kneecap (patellofemoral) or outside (lateral). Or, they can be performed on both the medial and the patellofemoral compartments. Another key advantage of MAKOplasty technology is that it enables the surgeon to customize the procedure to adapt to your unique anatomy. Patients may experience less implant wear and loosening, less scarring, reduced blood loss, minimal hospitalization and a more rapid recovery.
How does MAKOplasty work?
Before surgery, a computed tomography (CT) scan is taken, which the RIO system uses to create a virtual 3-D anatomical model of your knee. This model allows the surgeon to plan the placement and alignment of your knee implants prior to surgery.
Once the surgical plan is finalized, it is programmed into the RIO, which creates a “safety zone” for bone removal. During surgery, the surgeon controls the robotic arm and is assisted by computer imaging that helps ensure precise placement of the implant. Due to this precise placement, there may be less pain for the first eight weeks after surgery as compared to manually-placed implants.
How long will I be in the hospital and what is the recovery time?
MAKOplasty can be performed as either an inpatient procedure or on an outpatient basis. Your surgeon will determine which option is best for you. If you undergo the procedure on an outpatient basis, you’ll return home the same day. For an inpatient procedure, hospital stays average from one to three days. In many cases, patients are able to walk soon after surgery, drive a car in the first few weeks and return to normal daily activities shortly thereafter.
If I have the MAKOplasty procedure, would I still be able to have a total knee replacement in the future?
Because very little bone is removed during the MAKOplasty procedure, you may still be a candidate for total knee replacement later in life. Your physician can advise you about this possibility based on your individual situation.