Robotic Knee Replacement

Knee arthroplasty, also known as knee joint replacement, is an extremely successful surgical procedure because it allows patients suffering from severe limitation of knee mobility to move freely again. The first knee replacements began in the 1980s, and advancements over the past decades have significantly improved outcomes. However, the decisive factor that has led to a major leap in precision and overall surgical results has been the introduction of robotic technology in knee arthroplasty.

Robotic Knee Replacement is a fully digitized and personalized surgical procedure for replacing the worn surface of the knee. Thanks to the exceptional precision of robotic technology — exceeding one-tenth of a millimeter — it is possible, when appropriate, to replace only a specific part of the knee while keeping the healthy portion completely intact.

According to officially published scientific studies indexed in Index Medicus and PubMed, robotic knee arthroplasty clearly surpasses conventional techniques in surgical precision, recovery time, reduced need for medication, minimized impact on the soft tissues around the knee, and consequently in lowering the rates of infection and thrombosis.

To perform a robotic knee replacement, the patient must undergo a CT scan of the knee. This scan is performed specifically for this procedure and only in hospitals equipped with the MAKO robotic system. The process takes approximately two minutes.

Using the CT scan — which provides highly accurate imaging of the patient’s knee anatomy — a three-dimensional model is created. This model allows detailed analysis of the forces and loads acting on the knee joint during flexion, extension, and all intermediate positions.

With all this data integrated into the MAKO robotic system, the surgeon begins the operation fully informed and with a virtual representation of the joint to be created. During the procedure, adjustments can be made as needed, such as modifying the size of the titanium implants or refining their positioning.

After a robotic knee replacement, patients are typically able to stand and walk within 12–18 hours, initially with the assistance of a walking aid. In most cases, discharge from the hospital occurs after two days. In cases of robotic partial knee replacement (robotic unicompartmental knee arthroplasty), patients may even return home on the same day.

Robotic Knee Replacement may be indicated in the following cases:

1. Daily knee pain accompanied by a restricted range of motion.
2. Reduced physical activity due to persistent leg pain, leading to weight gain and, in some cases, symptoms of depression.
3. Significant deformity of the leg, either inward (varus deformity) or outward (valgus deformity), causing instability and falls. It should be noted that with robotic technology, limb alignment can be restored with absolute precision.
4. Previous knee injury, such as a meniscal tear or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, which has led to knee arthritis, difficulty in movement, and limitations in athletic activity.
5. Knee flexion contracture, a condition in which the knee cannot fully straighten or extend. This is a severe deformity that results in the inability to walk normally. Robotic technology is the only method that ensures complete correction of this serious deformity.
6. Persistent swelling (edema) of the knee, which worsens with any physical activity. Many patients continuously use ice or topical creams to relieve swelling during activity, often without meaningful improvement.

1. Knee osteoarthritis, widely known as “degenerative arthritis” or “wear-and-tear arthritis.”
2. Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases affecting the knee joint.
3. Post-traumatic knee arthritis, developing after previous knee injuries such as fractures from traffic accidents, meniscal tears, or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
4. Avascular (aseptic) necrosis of the knee, leading to progressive joint destruction.
5. Knee deformities that cause instability and falls, including varus deformity (bow-legged), valgus deformity (knock-knee), and flexion contracture.

Dr Dretakis and his team are always ready to give you an appointment in the next 60 days for a Mako Knee Replacement.