Robotic Knee Joint Replacement

From Sci-Fi to Operating Rooms: Robotic Knee Joint Replacement

Robotic technology has long been a fictional dream that has now become a reality. Sci-fi made us dream of a future where robots assist in various day-to-day activities, making tasks easier for humanity.

 

The sector which has benefitted the most from the introduction of robotic technology is healthcare. It has improved the prognosis of surgical procedures and the recovery period, minimized tissue damage, and much more.

 

Robots have made their way into the operating room, helping to assist patients and providing a better three-dimensional view of the surgical site. Several hospitals have acknowledged the benefits of robotic knee joint replacement and adopted them in various arthroplasty procedures.

 

A robotic arm helps the surgeon provide a custom-fit partial or total knee replacement. This ensures a faster recovery, less pain, and less stress for the patients. Robotic technology combines the precision of technology with the skill set of the surgeon to provide the best care for the patients.

 

Robotic Knee Joint Surgery Procedure

 

Robotic knee joint surgery is performed like any other knee surgery but with more precision owing to robot assistance. It has a pre-op plan, an operation theatre, a surgeon, instruments, aids, physician assistants, and a robot arm. All this makes the minimally invasive surgical procedure a success.

 

Robotic knee joint replacement involves the following steps:

 

  • Pre-op planning: A surgical plan is required before any surgical procedure; imaging helps with this process. Robotic technology provides advanced imaging (CT and MRI) with a three-dimensional view, which allows the surgeon to better plan and overcome any obstacles because of limited imaging technology.
  • Robot-assisted surgery setup: The patient's leg is positioned on a surgical table, and a robotic arm with sensors and a cutting tool is placed over the patient's knee.
  • Navigation: The surgeon performs navigation according to the preoperative plan. The robotic system provides real-time feedback on correct positioning, tool use, etc., which allows the artificial knee to be properly positioned and aligned.
  • Bone preparation: The surgeon prepares the surgical site by making the incision, preparing the bone, removing any debris, etc., with the assistance of a robotic system.
  • Implant placement: The surgeon assembles the various components of the implant in a robotic knee replacement surgery, such as the femur, tibia, and patella. The robotic system ensures the components' precision, accuracy, alignment, and fitting. This assistance by the robotic system leads to better outcomes and reduces the complications caused by malalignment.
  • Closure and recovery: The surgeon securely stitches the surgical site, marking the beginning of the recovery process. Robotic knee replacement surgery ensures a faster recovery period and avoids complications.

 

Robotic Knee Joint Surgery Benefits

 

Robotic knee replacement surgery has the following benefits.

  • Improved accuracy and precision.
  • Proper alignment of the implant.
  • Customized surgical planning.
  • Preservation of healthy tissue.
  • Minimal tissue damage.
  • Faster recovery.
  • Decreased pain and post-operative discomfort.
  • Reduced complications.
  • Reduce failure rate.
  • Improved prognosis.

 

Conclusion

 

Robotic knee replacement surgery is a much-needed amalgamation of technology and skills. It improves patient's quality of life, thus firming their belief in healthcare. Though involving robots in the operating room might seem like a science fiction movie, it has increasingly become a reality today.

 

The adoption of robotic technology varies among different hospitals in different countries according to the general population's acceptance and the surgeons' ease of use. Many patients are still apprehensive about robotic handling, which acts as a barrier to the complete adoption of robotic technology in healthcare.

 

However, patients are becoming more aware of the benefits of robotic knee replacement surgery and are interested in considering it. Hospitals like Noble Hospital have advanced robotic technology and nuances to deliver quality surgical care.