Robotic technology has revolutionised knee replacement surgery. The patient gets back to a healthy and active life faster. However, a person can have concerns like whether this is a safe procedure and most importantly, what the life span of this surgery is. This post deals with these questions and robotic knee replacement surgery in detail.
Who Needs Knee Replacement Surgery?
Many people struggle with chronic and very intense knee pain. It makes walking independently very challenging. The affected person cannot walk, climb stairs and lead an active life comfortably. It impacts mental as well as physical well-being.
Such debilitating pain in the knee only occurs when the knee joint has sustained severe internal cartilage, bones and other soft tissue damage. A damaged knee cannot be treated with medicines, injections, physiotherapy and even biologics. The only treatment that is required to restore mobility and eliminate pain is knee replacement surgery.
Various conditions lead to knee damage and dysfunction. Some of the most prevalent and major ones are discussed below.
Osteoarthritis: This is an overuse condition that manifests itself in terms of cartilage degeneration and the formation of bone spurs. The joint grows stiff over time and impacts mobility severely.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is an autoimmune condition which is caused by the malfunctioning of the body’s immune system. The exact cause of this condition is largely unknown. Yet, multiple factors are believed to be responsible. The joints become warm, painful and swollen, leading to internal damage.
Osteonecrosis: Adequate blood supply to each body cell is crucial for survival. The blood carries all the nutrients required for the body. When enough blood doesn’t reach the knee adequately, healthy tissue dies and the structure collapses, leading to dysfunction.
Trauma: An intense injury can damage the knee joint severely, causing complete disability in a short time.
Deformity: Some people suffer from knee problems like bow legs or knock-knee congenitally. However, a deformity might develop during growth years as well. These structural abnormalities stay with the affected person lifelong if not treated surgically.
Latest Technologies in Knee Replacement Surgery
A knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which damaged joint parts are resurfaced with the help of durable and safe implants, which are made up of metal and plastic. When this surgery is assisted with robotic technology, it is called robotic knee replacement surgery.
In robot-assisted knee replacement surgery, a surgeon uses the latest technology and devices to ensure a higher level of personalisation, precision, and accuracy.
Before the surgery, 3D simulations of a patient’s knee are created with the help of CT scans and robotic software. These models (3D simulations) look exactly like the patient’s original knee. All aspects of the patient’s unique anatomy and internal damage are included in detail in these models.
This leads to enhanced visualisation that helps a surgeon plan knee replacement surgery for a particular patient in a highly personalised way. Plans made at this stage are called pre-operative plans.
During the surgery, the surgeon uses a robotic arm (a state-of-the-art surgical machine) to execute such pre-operative plans with the highest precision and accuracy. Only damaged bones and soft-tissue parts are removed. Healthy and good parts are left without interference, which makes the procedure least invasive.
Finally, implant components are placed accurately inside the operated knee, resurfacing the joint back to functionality.
In addition, there is augmented reality, which is also called AI-based AR-assisted technology. It is another advanced technology that makes the knee replacement procedure safe, secure, and highly successful.
Advantages of Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery
Robotic knee replacement surgery is done with the assistance of robotic technology. It is handled by a surgeon. It is a common misconception among many patients that robotic knee replacement surgery is done entirely by a robot.
However, it is just a myth. The fact is that a surgeon uses robotic technology to achieve higher personalisation, precision and perfection, which has several benefits furthermore as listed below.
High Personalisation: As already mentioned above, in robotic knee replacement surgery, pre-operative planning is empowered with 3D modelling of the patient’s original knee. This helps consider knee conditions accurately without requiring invasion. It makes the surgery highly personalised. The treatment is thus tailored according to the patient’s needs and requirements.
High Accuracy: In knee replacement surgery, damaged parts are resurfaced. Robotic technology helps a surgeon perform this procedure with efficiency. Only damaged parts are removed. This means less invasion and less bone and muscle cuts, which means minimum scars and stitches.
Fast & Painless Recovery: With minimum surgical cuts and blood loss, the healing happens fast. There is minimal to no pain during the transition back to an active life. The patient starts walking within 24 hours. As a result, the patient is discharged early from the hospital, and there is no need for extended stays at the hospital’s rehab centre.
Low Post-Operative Complication Rate: Due to less invasion, the infection rate is very low. As a result, the patient starts walking early. It helps prevent blood clots, furthermore. The implant is placed accurately so there is no chance of loosening. It makes the surgery last a long period, almost the lifespan of the patient.
All of these advantages make the operation highly successful. If you need this surgery, don’t delay. Ensure the latest robotic knee replacement in Delhi or anywhere nearby.
Life Span of Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery
Whether robotic or traditional, knee replacement surgery lasts lifelong once done. It has several benefits as explained with minimum complications. Furthermore, the knee is resurfaced with metal and plastic implants that are very durable and stay where placed year after year.
Additionally, the patient who has undergone a knee replacement is provided intensive care postoperatively. All signs of complications are closely tracked through periodic checks till the patient is discharged. With the help of medicines, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, all problems are kept at bay proactively. A team of healthcare providers along with the surgeon takes good care of the patient. The top orthopedic surgeon in Delhi handles each surgery with perfection.
After the discharge, there are follow-up consultations as well. All this care makes the surgery highly successful and hence the life span of the robotic knee replacement surgery is very long.
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