Robotic knee replacement is one of the most successful joint replacement procedures, helping patients find pain relief and regain mobility. If you or a family member are considering robotic knee replacement, learn what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Afterall educated patients have better outcomes.
Before the Procedure
Initial Consultation: Your surgeon will perform a thorough examination of your knee joint, evaluate your medical history, and ask about your daily symptoms.
Preoperative Planning: Your surgeon will create an operative plan using 3D imaging of your knee joint to formulate a personalized surgical plan accounting for your unique anatomy and condition.
Surgery Prep: Before surgery, you will be given educational material about the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of the procedure. During this time, you should also maintain a healthy lifestyle, eating nutritiously, exercising gently, and making lifestyle modifications if necessary.
During the Procedure: A robotic arm is used to guide your surgeon on removal of the damaged joint, followed by insertion of the new artificial implant before closing the incision. Your surgeon will use the 3D model of your knee and preoperative planning to ensure a personalized approach during the procedure. Unlike human hands, the robotic arm allows for improved alignment of the implant and soft tissue balancing. A small incision allows access to your knee joint while the surgeon uses the robotic arm to work within a designated surgical area, sparing any surrounding healthy tissue from damage during the procedure.
After the Procedure: The road to recovery begins with post operative care and rehabilitation.
Postoperative Care: Immediately following surgery, you will be closely monitored to help manage your pain, ensure proper wound care, and start to work on mobility. Physical therapy may even be encouraged to promote movement and prevent stiffness. If your robotic knee replacement can be performed at an outpatient surgery center, you will return home the same or the next day after the procedure, with communication from your care team throughout the recovery process.
Short-Term Recovery
The initial weeks after knee replacement surgery will focus on pain management, wound care, and gradually increasing mobility. Patients gradually transition from using assistive devices to walking independently. Physical therapy sessions at home or at a rehabilitation facility will be necessary, and will intensify gradually to improve strength, flexibility, and joint function.
Long-Term Recovery
After the procedure, you can expect follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery progress. While you recover, physical therapy will be required to encourage strength, flexibility and range of motions in your new knee joint. Many patients can resume light activities and return to work within six weeks, though this can vary.
Full recovery, including the ability to participate in more strenuous activities and sports, can take several months.
If you or a family member are contemplating robotic knee replacement surgery, understanding the process from pre-surgery to recovery is crucial. Well-informed patients often experience better outcomes, making education a valuable asset on the journey to renewed joint health.
AUTHOR: Charles Claps, DO is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in robotic assisted joint replacement surgery at Resurgens Orthopaedics in Atlanta. Dr. Claps is an industry leader in Mako Robotic Assisted Hip and Knee replacement across Georgia, and an active member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics