MAKOplasty and Your Total Hip Replacement

In our last blog we talked about three major approaches to hip replacement. We also mentioned the words minimally invasive when describing surgical techniques procedures. But what does that really mean though? Through the years, the surgeons improved on their techniques and are able to make shorter incisions and less tendon cutting. All that means less invasive when it comes to any surgery. Some of those techniques differ in name depending on what country you have your operation. What matters though is that the doctors are using these minimally invasive techniques to improve the outcomes, patient experience and shorten the recovery time.

Robotic Assistance In Operating Rooms

In our world of technology and race to develop Artificial Intelligence, robotic assistance can be found in many places. Operating rooms are not an exception. When the surgeons combine the improved techniques with a much more precise and individualized robotic assistance, the joint replacement surgeries leave less room for human error. When a surgeon makes an incision and opens up your hip, he only has an approximation of your individualized hip socket size and bone damage.

The scientific data does tell us that poor component positions and impingement are the sources of increasing mechanical complications in total hip replacement. Robotic guided navigation attempts to improve the surgeon’s performance by precise quantitative knowledge in the operating room. This technology provides predictable and reproducible results.

MAKOplasty and Hip Replacement

In 2010 the first MAKOplasty Total Hip Replacement was performed. MAKOplasty utilizes RIO Robotic Arm Interoperative Interactive Orthopedic System and RESTORIS Family of Implants for partial knee and total hip arthroplasty. MAKOplasty increases accuracy in aligning and placing implants. The RIO system assists surgeons by creating a 3-D model of the patients’ anatomy. It enables surgeons to develop a pre-surgical plan that customizes implant size, positioning and alignment specifically for each patient. During the procedure, real-time visual, tactile, and auditory feedback enforces a safety-zone and facilitates ideal implant positioning and placement.  Thus it reduces the potential for complications.

As a patient, you will be required to get a CT scan first. The information from the CT scan will be loaded into MAKO software system.  Then it is used to create your personalized pre-operative plan. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm while preparing the hip socket and positioning the implant based on your personalized pre-operative plan. The Mako system also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed. When the surgeon prepares the bone for the implant, the Mako system guides the surgeon within the pre-defined area and helps prevent the surgeon from moving outside the planned boundaries. This helps provide more accurate placement and alignment of your implant.

The use of the robotic arm is a valuable innovation for Total Hip Replacement. Contact Health Vantis to learn more about your individualized options in hip replacement.