Makoplasty is a knee replacement surgery, which uses a robotic arm to remove the affected portion of the knee.
Makoplasty system with implants
The process of surgery using Makoplasty combines the three-dimensional images of the patient’s knee with a technology similar to GPS and uses a robotic arm, which is linked to a high-speed burr that removes the affected part. Andrew Noble, a doctor at the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, explained that by using Makoplasty improved surgical precision is obtained and the recovery time is quicker. Before the surgery, a CT scan of the knee is taken and the affected part is marked. A three-dimensional image of the diseased part is fed to the robot and the robotic arm controls the surgical instrument in such a way that only the affected part is removed.
Hinsdale orthopedics has been performing knee surgery with the help of Makoplasty since October. An orthopaedic surgeon at Hinsdale noted that the success rate has been good and the patients are able to get back on to their feet within a few weeks of robotic surgery. The doctors at the Rush University, however, are not convinced using the robotic arm for knee surgery. An orthopaedic surgeon at the center is of the opinion that it is a costly affair and the durability of the procedure has not yet been established. Noble from the Palm Beach Institute is fully convinced with Makoplasty and recommends its usage in other hospitals.