WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ROBOTIC KNEE SURGERY

As many people struggle with knee pain and stiffness due to sports injuries, arthritis, and other complications, surgery is a common consideration. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, total knee replacements are among the most successful and cost-effective procedures in all medicine. This surgery has come a long way since first performed in 1968, and robotic-assisted surgery now plays a crucial role in many modern knee surgeries. The NAVIO Surgical System is one of the innovative robotic-assisted surgical techniques used for many knee replacement surgeries.

The Advantages of NAVIO Robotic-assisted Surgery

Knee replacement surgery involves the surgeon removing any damaged bone or cartilage in the knee joint and replacing it with new, artificial implants. This eliminates the bone-on-bone friction that was previously causing discomfort. Every knee surgery is unique based on the patient’s anatomy and the specific implant used, and robotic systems like the NAVIO Surgical System improve the accuracy of implant alignment. The NAVIO system assists the doctor’s usual procedures by custom-tailoring each surgery to the patient’s own unique anatomy. It communicates more exact information about a patient’s knee directly to the surgeon’s robot-guided handpiece. This extra level of accuracy encourages better results when it comes to a new knee’s function, feel, and longevity.

Traditional pre-surgery preparation often requires CT scans–images similar to x-rays showing cross-sections of the knees–but the NAVIO system functions without CT scans, which means patients do not need to be exposed to the possibly harmful radiation of CT scans.

Overview of Knee Replacement Surgery Candidates

Knee replacement is an orthopedic surgery procedure designed for patients who suffer from severe knee damage, either from specific injuries like tears, fractures, or sports injuries or from arthritis-related joint deterioration. Getting this treatment should allow a patient to experience less pain and stiffness and to be more active. If medicine and other less intensive treatments are not resulting in relief, surgery may well be the best option.

The Risks of Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, patients undergoing robotic knee replacement surgery with the NAVIO system may experience varied results. While the procedure is likely to result in less pain and more mobility in the joint, the new knee or knees may not have exactly the same range of motion or comfort as before, and some stiffness may continue. Risks include loosening of the joint or infection, both of which may result in the need for additional intervention. The orthopedic surgeon will know what’s best for each patient and will provide post-surgery instructions that are designed to limit possible complications.

As a leader in orthopedic surgery, Greiner Orthopedics performs knee replacements using the innovative NAVIO robotic-assisted technology. We also treat and repair various bone, muscle, joint, tendon, and ligament injuries. Contact us today by sending us a message online or calling 816-317-5070.