The Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement

Each year in the United States, surgeons perform approximately 790,000 knee joint replacement surgeries and 450,000 hip joint replacement surgeries. These days, joint replacements are so durable and high quality that they’re expected to last 20 years or more. In most cases, a joint replacement lasts a lifetime.

When you’re ready for a joint replacement, surgical expertise and high-quality, titanium joints are key to your recovery, success, and restored function. But an important component to the process is whether your surgeon utilizes robotic assistance for joint replacement. Robotic joint replacement has many benefits over traditional, open surgery.

At McPhilamy Bone and Joint in Lubbock, Texas, fellowship-trained surgeon Dr. Austin McPhilamy specializes in Mako® robotic-assisted surgery for joint replacement. Mako robotic surgery reduces bleeding and trauma, among other invaluable benefits.

Are you considering joint replacement? Here’s why a surgeon trained in robotic-assisted joint replacement is your best bet.

Robots enhance the surgeon’s skill

We’re a long way from the days when a robot can perform surgery unassisted. Instead, a Mako robot serves to enhance the knowledge and skill of your orthopedic surgeon.

Dr. McPhilamy has been certified as an expert in Mako SmartRobotics™ robotic surgery for joint replacement. One of the primary ways that Mako makes your joint replacement surgery easier is through Accustop™ technology, which allows us to plan every detail of your surgery in advance.

Robotic surgery allows customization

By using three-dimensional CT scan technology, Dr. McPhilamy visualizes the interior of your joint. He then plans the precise approach he’ll take during your surgery, including the proposed incision areas. This pre-planning step helps him make the surgery less traumatic, with more precision and less bleeding.

Whether you need one or more joint replacements, each surgery is now customizable based on your unique anatomy. Before the operation begins, we place tracking pins on your joint to help the robot confirm that it received correct sizing and positioning from the CT scans.

During the surgery itself, Dr. McPhilamy uses the hand-held Mako robotic arm to perform the operation. The tool guides Dr. McPhilamy from beginning to end, enhancing his skill. 

We use robotic assisted joint replacement for:

• Knees 
• Hips
• Ankles
• Feet
• Wrists
• Shoulders

In addition, robotic assistance is used to reduce trauma, pain, and bleeding in back and neck surgeries.

Robotic surgery reduces recovery time

You have less of a hospital stay when you undergo robotic-assisted joint replacement. Less trauma, fewer incisions, and less bleeding reduces your risk for infections. 

Because the robotic surgery plan is so precise, there’s less cutting of healthy bone tissue. We only remove the damaged cartilage and bone. Then, depending on your needs, we resurface the joint or replace it entirely.

Greater precision equals greater comfort

With robot assistance, Dr. McPhilamy can create a better balance in the soft tissues of your joint. This allows a more precise joint replacement alignment, too.

Your new joint moves more easily and is better balanced than is one placed by traditional methods. The pre-planning stage also helps your surgeon pick the perfect-fitting replacement joint for your anatomy.

Also, since the operation is planned so precisely, there’s less cutting, bleeding, and tissue removal. This translates to:

• Faster recovery
• Fewer complications
• Less chance of revision surgery
• Better fitting implant
• Less scarring

If you’re in need of a joint replacement, choose an expert surgeon who specializes in robotic surgery by contacting our friendly team at McPhilamy Bone and Joint in Lubbock, Texas, via phone or with our easy online form today.