Robotic Surgery

The following information is provided as a guide. Every patient is different, and treatment can be tailored to suit each patient's needs. If you are after a particular treatment, please discuss this with your surgeon during your appointment.

• Robotic Partial Knee Replacement
• Robotic Total Knee Replacement
• Computer Navigated Hip Replacement

Robotic Partial Knee Replacement

Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology can be used for partial knee replacement, a surgical procedure that may help relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) in one or two of the knee compartments. 

OA is sometimes called degenerative arthritis because it is a ‘wearing out’ condition involving the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. When cartilage wears away, the bones rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness. By selectively targeting the part of your knee damaged by OA, your surgeon can replace a portion of your knee while helping to spare the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding it. 

There are three types of knee replacement:

• Unicondylar knee replacement is a procedure that replaces only the single affected compartment of the knee, either the medial or lateral compartment.
• Patellofemoral knee replacement is a procedure that replaces the worn patella (the kneecap) and the trochlea (the groove at the end of the thigh bone)
• Bicompartmental knee replacement is a procedure that replaces two compartments of the knee, the medial and patellofemoral compartments.

Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Partial Knee Replacement

• Have a plan personalised for you – it all begins with a CT scan of your joint that is used to generate a 3D virtual model of your unique anatomy. This virtual model is loaded into the Mako System software to create your personalised pre-operative plan.
• Your surgeon will use Mako to perform your surgery in the operating room based on your personalised pre-operative plan. The Mako System also allows your surgeon to adjust your plan during surgery as needed. When the surgeon prepares the bone for the implant, the Mako System guides the surgeon within the predefined area and helps prevent the surgeon from moving outside the planned boundaries. This helps provide more accurate placement and alignment of your implant. 
• After surgery – your surgeon, nurses and physiotherapists will set goals with you to get you back on the move. They will closely monitor your condition and progress. Your surgeon may review an x-ray of your new partial knee with you.

DePuy VELYS Robotic Knee Replacement

The DePuy VELYS Robotic Knee Replacement is a cutting-edge medical procedure designed to improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from knee joint issues. This innovative approach to knee replacement surgery offers precise, personalised solutions that can help patients regain mobility and reduce pain. 

The Robotic System

The DePuy VELYS Robotic Knee Replacement system consists of several key components:

• Robotic Arm: This sophisticated robotic arm has specialised tools and sensors. It is controlled by a skilled surgeon who uses it to perform the surgery with exceptional precision.
• Advanced Imaging: Before the surgery begins, the patient's knee is imaged using a high-resolution scanner. These images create a 3D map of the knee joint, providing the surgeon with a detailed view of the affected area.
• Surgical Plan: Using the 3D images, the surgeon creates a personalised surgical plan that outlines the specific areas of the knee that need attention. This plan is like a roadmap for the surgery.

The Surgical Procedure

• Preparation: The patient is prepped for surgery, which typically involves anaesthesia to ensure they are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
• Imaging: The surgeon begins by taking another set of knee images using the robotic system. These images are overlaid with the pre-operative images to confirm the precise location of the damaged or arthritic areas.
• Robotic Assistance: The surgeon guides the robotic arm to the specific knee areas requiring attention. The robotic arm is precise, allowing minimal invasiveness and preserving healthy tissue.
• Reshaping and Placement: The surgeon can accurately reshape the damaged bone and prepare it for the implant with the robotic arm. The robotic system assists in placing the implant in the exact position needed for optimal function and alignment.
• Verification: Throughout the procedure, the robotic system continuously verifies the progress, making real-time adjustments if necessary. This ensures that the implant is precisely positioned, minimising the risk of complications and improving overall outcomes.
• Closing the Incision: Once the surgical process is complete, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures, and the knee replacement surgery is finished.

DePuy VELYS Navigation for Total Hip Replacement

The DePuy VELYS Robotic Total Hip Replacement is a cutting-edge approach to hip surgery that utilises advanced imaging technology to ensure precision and accuracy during the procedure. VELYS™ Hip Navigation is a digital technology that helps surgeons perform hip replacement surgeries more accurately and precisely. It uses a fluoroscopic image of the hip to help position the implants. 

How does it work?

• Before hip removal, a fluoroscopic image of the hip is taken and entered into the VELYS system 
• The image is analyzed in real time to help position the implants 
• The system provides information on the cup position, femoral offset, and leg length 

Benefits May help reduce the risk of hip dislocation, May increase the joint's stability, May reduce radiation dosage, May reduce operating room time, and May improve patient outcomes.