MAKO Joint Replacement – the MAKO Difference
MAKO Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology is an innovative solution for many suffering from painful arthritis of the knee or hip. Using a 3D virtual model of your unique anatomy and a robotic arm, MAKO helps Dr. Robert Lupo plan and perform your joint replacement surgery.
With the MAKO technology, specific parts of your knee can be targeted for removal, preserving healthy bone and tissue. Our team will guide you through the process from evaluation, to surgery, to post-operative care, all in our brand-new, clean, bright facility.
MAKO Total and Partial Knee Replacement
Personalized Plan
The first step is patient-specific surgical planning. Before surgery, a CT scan of your knee is taken to develop a 3D virtual model of your unique joint. Your doctor uses this model to evaluate your bone structure, disease severity, joint alignment, and even the surrounding bone and tissue, so they can determine the optimal size, placement and alignment of your implant.
Range-of-Motion Assessment
Throughout your procedure, MAKO provides real-time data to your surgeon. This allows them to continuously assess the movement and tension of your new joint, and adjust your surgical plan if desired.
Arthritic Bone Removal
In the operating room, your surgeon guides MAKO’s robotic arm to remove the arthritic bone and cartilage from the knee. A virtual boundary provides tactile resistance to help the surgeon stay within the boundaries defined in your surgical plan.
With the diseased bone gone, your implant is placed into the knee joint. Then it’s off to the recovery room to begin your journey to strengthen your new joint.
Total Knee Replacement with Permanent Results
Your knee can be pain-free once again. Dr. Robert Lupo can evaluate your knee function to determine if a total or partial knee replacement is the best option for you. Many procedures can be performed using the MAKO robotic arm, which provides a patient-specific 3D model to pre-plan the operation, and acts as a precise arm to guide your surgeon.
Knee Replacement Information
Knee Replacement Evaluation
Individuals whose knee joints have been damaged may require a total knee replacement surgery. If your knee pain is limiting your everyday activities and doesn’t improve with rest, consider being evaluated by Dr. Robert Lupo. Inflammation, swelling, or bowing of the knee may also be present. Many factors can contribute to the need for total knee replacement, such as trauma, age, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Total Knee Replacement Surgery
Total knee replacement is a MAKO robotic-arm assisted surgical procedure which involves replacing the ends of the bones that form the knee joint with prosthetic devices. Under general or spinal anesthesia, an incision is made to access the knee joint, which includes the lower end of the femur and the upper end of the tibia. The surgeon will remove any damaged cartilage in the area, and gently prepare the ends of the bones for the prosthetic devices.
Snugly-fitting prosthetic devices are then fixed to the ends of the femur and tibia, and held in place with bone cement. A plastic spacer is also placed between the femur and tibia to ensure the joint can smoothly glide. While you are still under anesthesia, the surgeon will move the knee to ensure the joint is stable and safe. The entire process takes approximately an hour.
MAKO Total Knee Replacement
In clinical studies, MAKO Total Knee resulted in:
- In laboratory studies, MAKO Total Knee enabled surgeons to execute their surgical plans more accurately.
- In a clinical study, MAKO patients surveyed 6 months after surgery reported lower pain scores than those who received a conventional joint replacement.
- In a clinical study, MAKO patients surveyed 6 months after surgery reported better patient satisfaction scores compared to those who received a conventional joint replacement
Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
The partial knee replacement surgery is designed to relieve pain caused by joint degeneration in certain compartments of the knee, which is often due to osteoarthritis. Using a CT scan, the MAKO robotic arm generates a 3D model of the knee in order to effectively pre-plan the operation. Then, the precise arm guides Dr. Lupo throughout the procedure, updating and revising the surgical path as needed.
MAKO Partial Knee Replacement
In clinical studies, MAKO Partial Knee resulted in:
- More accurate bone removal and implant placement, which may result in improved outcomes and functioning of the knee
- Less pain in the days and weeks following surgery
- Shorter hospital stay
- Quicker recovery, where 9 out of 10 patients were walking without an aid, such as a cane or walker, three weeks after surgery
- 91% of patients being satisfied or very satisfied 5 years after surgery
Knee Replacement Post-Operative Care
The knee replacement process takes about an hour, and most patients are released either the same day or the following day. Patients may stay longer depending on their age and medical needs. At that point, you will be enrolled in a physical therapy regimen to assist in restoring complete knee mobility. Within six to twelve weeks, you should be able to return to normal activity.
To be evaluated for knee replacement by Dr. Robert Lupo, call 814-454-2401.
*Results may vary for individual patients and are not guaranteed.