MAKOplasty® Surgery

MAKOplasty® surgery is designed to treat patients with certain conditions that result in pain in the knee or hip. According to its manufacturer, MAKO Surgical Corp., the MAKOplasty system uses robotic-arm technology (RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System) and "three-dimension high-definition visualization [to] guide the surgeon with visual, tactile and auditory feedback" during surgery.

In terms of the knee, MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing is appropriate for patients who have early-to-midstage osteoarthritis that affects only one or two parts of the knee. In terms of the hip, MAKOplasty total hip arthroplasty (AHA) is appropriate for patients who have noninflammatory or inflammatory degenerative joint disease.

For patients with early-to-midstage osteoarthritis of the knee, MAKOplasty surgery may be a better option than total knee arthroplasty. It is less invasive, and offers a more rapid recovery. During the MAKOplasty procedure, the knee's diseased portion is resurfaced, and an implant is then inserted and attached to the joint. Prior to surgery, a CT scan is taken to provide data on positioning and placement of the implant, allowing the surgeon to make the smallest incision possible and to target the specific area requiring treatment. Most healthy bone and surrounding tissue are saved, resulting in a natural-feeling knee that has good range of motion.

Prior to THA, a CT scan is taken of the patient's hip so that the surgeon can generate a patient-specific surgical plan that makes implant placement and alignment as accurate as possible. The MAKOplasty system provides the surgeon with real-time information to allow for minute adjustments and optimal reconstruction of the hip joint. Correctly aligning and positioning a hip implant leads to a better surgical outcome and extends the implant's lifespan.

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