What is MAKOplasty?

 

MAKOplasty is a robotic assisted partial knee resurfacing procedure or, if needed, a robotic total knee reconstruction. It is designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis (OA). With the partial knee resurfacing, by selectively targeting the part of your knee damaged by OA, your surgeon can resurface your knee while sparing the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding it. If the damage to the joint is too significant, then a MAKOplasty total knee reconstruction might be indicated.

 

MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing can:

• Enable surgeons to precisely resurface only the arthritic portion of the knee

• Preserve healthy tissue and bone

• Facilitate optimal implant positioning to result in a more natural feeling knee following surgery

• Result in a more rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay than traditional total knee replacement surgery

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MAKOplasty total knee reconstruction is accomplished with the same robotic precision and consistency as the partial knee resurfacing procedure.

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Unlike other more invasive procedures MAKOplasty can often can be performed with smaller incisions. Additionally, with the partial knee resurfacing, the preservation of your own natural bone and tissue along with more ideal patient specific implant positioning may also result in a more natural feeling knee. And since healthy bone is preserved, patients who undergo MAKOplasty partial knee procedures may still be a candidate for a the MAKOplasty total knee replacement procedure later in life if necessary.

 

The MAKOplasty procedure is indicated for patients suffering from unicompartmental or bicompartmental knee disease. A MAKOplasty total replacement is sometimes necessary if the surgeon discovers that your knee has more damage than can be handled with the partial resurfacing procedure.

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In some cases the partial knee resurfacing might be performed on an outpatient basis depending on what your surgeon determines is the right course of treatment for you. The MAKOplasty total knee reconstruction usually requires a 2-3 day hospital stay.

 

Am I a candidate?

 

If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis(OA) of the knee, you might be a candidate for MAKOplasty® – a robotic assisted knee resurfacing or reconstructive procedure designed to relieve pain and restore range of motion. MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing is a  treatment option for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis that has not progressed to all three compartments of the knee. When OA has progressed to all three compartments, then MAKOplasty total knee reconstruction might be the treatment of choice.

 

Symptoms of OA of the knee include:

• Pain while standing or walking short distances, climbing up or downstairs, or getting in and out of chairs

• Pain with activity

• Start up pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position

• Joint stiffness after getting out of bed

• Swelling in one or more areas of the knee

• A grating sensation or crunching feeling in the knee during use

 

How is OA treated?

• Whether your OA is mild or severe, your physician will most likely recommend certain lifestyle changes to reduce stress on your knee joints. Additional disease and pain management strategies may include: physical therapy, steroid injections, over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or topical pain relieving creams.

 

Please speak with your physician if your symptoms aren’t responding to non-surgical solutions, or your pain can no longer be controlled by medication. You could be a candidate for MAKOplasty resurfacing or reconstructive surgery.