ABC Medical Center remains at the forefront by making the latest technological advances available to its medical staff for the benefit of its patients. The ROSA robotic assistant in knee joint replacement surgeries allows ABC orthopedists who are certified to use the robot to achieve better results during surgery and a shorter recovery time. The use of the robot allows the surgeon an even more precise work in the operating room, performing their surgery in less time.
Robotic surgery technology will allow greater precision in surgery through real-time monitoring with sensors that are placed during surgery to make an adequate measurement of the ligaments and the cuts that are made during the procedure.
As it is a less invasive surgery due to less soft tissue release for adequate mobility and alignment of the knee to be operated on, there is better control of postoperative pain, resulting in shorter hospital stays for patients and allowing a better return to daily activities and a more natural feeling of the knee (prosthesis).
It is used in patients in whom a knee prosthesis has to be placed, that is, people who have some wear for any reason.
What is knee wear?
This condition affects approximately 10% of the world population over 60 years, generally women and, therefore, these joint replacement surgeries are performed in 56% of them.
It has a long evolution, that is, that over many years the joint cartilage wears out, which causes the bone to be exposed, so the knee bones can “brush” or “hit” one another.
Thus, this worn cartilage will produce several changes in the joint and will cause the knee to become inflamed, causing the person to reduce their daily activities, resulting in weight gain and thus, affecting the load on the knee.
There will be times when there are even gait disturbances or claudication, that is, when people limp or feel the need to stop walking to rest a bit. Depending on whether the knee wear is internal or external, it will be noticeably tilted to one side or the other.
In addition, the quadriceps, which is the muscle of the thigh, will weaken, so there will be less mobility to go up and down stairs, contractures, stiffness, crackles (feeling that the knee cracks), and, therefore, small walks and short distances will be tolerated. After sitting, the person will have difficulty and pain when standing up or taking the first steps.
In which people are joint replacement surgery indicated?
A total prosthesis or joint replacement of the knee is recommended for people who have the aforementioned difficulties. The main reasons for performing surgery are:
- Pain
- Functional limitation
Conventionally, without the robot’s assistance, it is a surgery with very good results, improving function and pain. This is a safe and common procedure.
What are prostheses made of and how are they made?
- Metal component that goes into the bone above (femur)
- Metal component that goes into the bone below (tibia)
- There is a plastic made of polyethylene in the middle (liner) and on the patella
Materials:
Femur: chrome, cobalt, or molybdenum
Tibia: titanium, aluminum, or vanadium
Liner: polyethylene
Patella: polyethylene
Why seek surgery with robotic technology?
The ROSA (Robotic Surgical Assistant) robotic assistant is a collaborative system that places the cutting guides that orthopedic surgeons use during surgery based on what they plan, therefore, it helps the surgeon to execute the surgery more accurately following the instructions given; the surgeon is the one who makes the decisions, the robot does not do it by itself.
- Robotic collaboration together with the surgeon (does not replace it)
- Greater precision
- Accuracy
- Live monitoring during the procedure
- Alignment
- Implant prediction
- Safe technology (continuous power supply)
- Personalization (each patient is different)
Advantages for the patient:
- Less post-operative pain
- Less recovery times
- Shorter hospital stay
- Complications are reduced
- Increases precision in implant placement
- Alignment improvement
- Lower readmissions rate
- Less bleeding during surgery
- Lower rates of prosthesis loosening or instability
- Less medication consumption
- More natural knee feel
- Less time to return to your daily activities
Advantages for the doctor:
- Better posture during surgery
- Lower long-term injury rate
- Greater precision
- Accuracy
- Live monitoring during the procedure
This surgery cannot be performed by all orthopedists or knee surgeons, but by those who have a certificate that guarantees the theoretical-practical training they have had and who can take advantage of the robot’s tools.
At ABC Medical Center’s Orthopedics and Traumatology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!