Total Knee Replacement Surgery Technological Advancements
A total knee replacement surgery is an operation to replace all of the damaged parts in the knee joint with artificial components to get patients to return to daily activities. This operation is performed to relieve pain and restore the function of the affected area.
Total knee replacements are considered one of the most successful surgeries in orthopedics. The procedure's success rate has increased over time due to advances in medical science and implant design and techniques.
Since the first total knee replacement surgery dating back to 1968, many surgical techniques and technological advancements have improved surgical procedures to provide alternatives to knee replacement. The EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region orthopedic knee replacement surgeons incorporate techniques such as Patient-Specific Alignment (PSA) and technological advancements like VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement and MAKOplasty®. But what exactly is a PSA, and what makes VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement and MAKOplasty® options some of the best knee replacement options?
Patient-Specific Alignment Total Knee Arthroplasty
Patient-Specific alignment has drastically improved the outcomes of patients compared to traditional methods. In this method, the surgeon tailors their surgical procedure to the patient's anatomy and bone structure before placing implants during the knee surgery. This allows the surgeon to place the implants at their optimal position for each specific patient, which will result in better alignment of the bones and more natural movement of the knee.
The traditional method of implantation assumes all knees in all patients are identical. However, no two patients have the same knee anatomy, which means no two knees are the same. So implanting the knee the same way in every patient does not make sense; implants should be positioned uniquely for every individual patient and knee, and traditional methods do not allow for this custom positioning and sizing.
PSA is done with navigation or robotic assistance, which allows for custom positioning of the total knee in real time and is unique to every patient. The custom placement of the components results in better function, decreased pain, and a more natural feeling in patients undergoing this surgery.
PSA allows knee replacement surgeons to accurately assess the unique anatomy of every knee during the surgery and then custom place both components precisely, restoring the knee to its pre-arthritic state to make the knee feel more natural, reduce knee pain, and improve function.
VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement
VELYS™Robotics has developed a robotic knee replacement system that allows surgeons to perform total knee replacements without using conventional instruments or tools, allowing for faster, safer, and less invasive knee replacement surgery.
VELYS™robotic-assisted knee replacements provide knee surgeons with information during surgery to allow for smooth and accurate insights for real-time decision-making. VELYS™ does this by helping the surgeon perform the surgery with precision. During the procedure, the technology gathers details related to a specific patient's knee structure to help find the best implant fit.
VELYS™Robotic-Assisted technology results in an increased range of motion, less pain, and quicker recovery time.
MAKOplasty®
MAKOplasty® is a minimally invasive technique that uses robotics to perform the entire total knee replacement surgery through small incisions. This is a surgical system that utilizes a robotic arm that knee replacement surgeons use as an extension of their own arm. It is designed to minimize tissue damage and scarring while allowing for faster recovery times.
The procedure begins with a 3D model of the surgical area, so surgeons can create the most accurate and personalized treatment plan and implant materials. With a detailed model, the surgeon can minimize the removal of healthy tissue, resulting in quicker recovery times and fewer complications.
The benefits of MAKOplasty® knee resurfacing include:
Improved precision. Surgeons use the 3D model and robotic arm to facilitate optimal implant positioning. Greater placement accuracy reduces the risk of future issues.
Smaller incision. MAKOplasty® requires much smaller incisions, which results in faster healing and less scarring.
Faster rehabilitation. Patients recover more quickly with this surgery and usually have shorter hospital stays.
Outpatient option. In some cases, the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis, which means some patients have no hospital stay.
Quicker relief. Patients undergoing MAKOplasty® knee resurfacing usually have less pain and can return to normal activities sooner.
MAKOplasties® can be used with other types of knee replacement surgery, including conventional and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
Emerge Stronger, Healthier, and Better
If you have asked the question, "Where can I find minimally invasive knee replacement surgery near me?" and you are looking for the best doctors for minimally invasive knee replacements, EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region's board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic knee replacement surgeons will give you the best care using several knee replacement options and advanced technologies to get you back to a daily living, pain-free life.
To learn more about knee replacement, download the free ebook, The Ultimate Guide to Knee Replacement Surgery. If you are ready to see one of our specialists, schedule your appointment with one of the expert orthopedic surgeons, so they can help you emerge stronger, healthier, and better.
