Robot technology, widely used in many areas of healthcare, can also be successfully applied in joint replacement surgeries. In robotic knee replacement surgery, there is no room for error. Any patient suitable for knee replacement surgery can also undergo robotic knee replacement.
What is robotic knee replacement surgery?
Robotic knee replacement surgery is a type of surgery in which a robot assists the surgeon during the procedure. Contrary to popular belief, the surgery is performed by the surgeon, not the robot. Images obtained through Computed Tomography (CT) and special X-rays are uploaded to the robot before the surgery, allowing for a plan tailored to the patient’s anatomy. The robot used in robotic knee replacement surgery helps ensure that the prosthesis is positioned at the correct angles without errors and supports precise bone cuts. Since the preoperative planning is done by the surgeon, it is important to choose doctors specialized in prosthetic surgery and hospitals with adequate infrastructure for such procedures.
Who is eligible for robotic knee replacement surgery?
Robotic knee replacement surgery can be performed on any patient who requires a knee replacement.
These patient groups can be listed as follows:
- Patients with irreversible, advanced damage in the knee joint may undergo robotic knee replacement surgery.
- If issues in the knee joint hinder the person’s mobility, they are suitable candidates for robotic knee replacement.
- Patients who experience daily pain that wakes them from sleep at night may be eligible for robotic knee replacement surgery.
- Patients whose walking distance has decreased or whose social life is restricted due to knee pain are suitable for robotic knee replacement.
- Those who continue to suffer from pain despite taking painkillers every day also belong to the group of patients eligible for robotic knee replacement.
What are the advantages of robotic knee replacement surgery?
The advantages of robotic knee replacement surgery can generally be summarized as follows:
- The robot ensures that the preoperative plan made by the surgeon is implemented with millimetric precision during the surgery.
- This technology helps eliminate human error during the procedure. By alerting the surgeon to potential mistakes that might be overlooked, it allows surgeries to be completed with virtually zero errors.
- In knee replacement surgeries, it enables highly precise cuts to be made within the planned area on the patient’s 3D model, created from their own CT scan, without the need for traditional cutting blocks. This prevents incorrect and unnecessary cuts.
How is robotic knee replacement surgery performed?
- In robotic knee replacement surgery, preoperative CT scans and special X-rays are taken to obtain a 3D view of the patient’s anatomical structure.
- These images are then processed through a specific program and uploaded to the robot, providing it with detailed information about the patient’s anatomy.
- In addition to imaging, all surgical plans are uploaded to the robot before the surgery.
- While the patient is being prepared for surgery, unlike other surgeries, the robot and its arm are covered with sterile drapes to reduce the risk of infection.
- In robotic knee replacement surgery, two separate metallic implants are placed in the patient’s femur and tibia. These small pins help the robot match the patient’s anatomy with the preloaded images. They also enable the robot to track the patient’s position in space and monitor changes during the surgery.
- The robot is not used for skin incisions, subcutaneous incisions, fascia, or joint access. The surgeon completes these steps and performs the necessary bone cleaning.
- The robot becomes active during bone cuts and releases. The cutting blade is attached to the robot’s arm as the surgeon makes the cuts, ensuring that unintended areas are not cut.
- There is no need for the guides typically used in traditional knee replacement surgeries when performing robotic knee replacement. The robot calculates and positions the implant with millimetric precision, reducing the margin of error to zero.
- It is important to note that the robot cannot assess indicators like bone quality, bone flexibility, or the quality of soft tissues. This is where the expertise and experience of the surgeon performing the robotic knee replacement play a crucial role.
- Once the knee implant is placed with millimetric accuracy according to the patient’s anatomy, the robot’s function is completed. The closing procedures are then carried out by the surgeon.
What are the costs of robotic knee replacement surgery?
The cost of robotic knee replacement surgery can vary. Differences in the cost depend on several factors, such as the pricing policy of the hospital where the surgery will be performed and the pricing policy of the surgeon conducting the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery
Can robotic knee replacement surgery be performed on all patients?
Robotic knee replacement can be performed on any patient who meets the indications for knee replacement. One major advantage of robotic knee replacement is its ability to minimize errors that can occur during surgery. However, this advantage may come at the cost of a longer surgery duration compared to traditional knee replacement. The extended duration of robotic knee replacement surgery may increase the risks for patients with cardiac problems, a high risk of infection, very advanced age, or poor bone quality. It should be noted that in such patients, a longer surgery time can increase the risks of bleeding and infection.
What should be considered after robotic knee replacement surgery?
After robotic knee replacement surgery, patients should pay close attention to their wounds, especially in the first two weeks. The surgical site should be kept clean, dressings should be done on time, and the medications prescribed by the doctor should be taken without interruption. Pain medications other than those recommended by the doctor should not be used for postoperative pain. Additionally, patients should avoid overly strenuous movements involving the knee and lifting heavy weights that place excessive load on the joint. Instead of aggressive sports, low-impact activities such as walking and swimming are recommended. Heavy sports and lifting weights can shorten the lifespan of the knee implant.
If a throat, dental, or urinary tract infection occurs after robotic knee replacement surgery, treatment should be administered immediately, as such infections in the body can spread to the implant.
What should a patient do before knee replacement surgery?
Before robotic knee replacement surgery, patients are checked for infections. If there is an infection anywhere in the body, such as in the teeth or throat, it must be treated first.
Patients are also required to bathe with a special soap to remove bacteria from the skin, which is provided by the hospital.
Patients’ muscle strength is evaluated before surgery. Those with insufficient muscle strength need to strengthen their muscles, as adequate muscle strength can positively affect the recovery process after surgery.
Can a patient use a traditional squat toilet after robotic knee replacement surgery?
After robotic knee replacement surgery, there are no movement restrictions for patients. However, using a traditional squat toilet, which involves bending the implant to its full range and placing a load on it, can shorten the lifespan of the knee implant. Similarly, activities such as gardening, which require prolonged squatting, or praying in a way that involves kneeling, can shorten the implant’s lifespan. After surgery, it is healthier for patients to pray while sitting in a chair or sitting on the floor with their legs extended to protect the implant.
Can impacts, trauma, or aggressive sports damage the knee implant?
Robotic knee replacement surgery can be performed in different ways depending on the strength of the ligaments in the knee. Normally, the ligaments are not altered in robotic knee replacement surgery; only the damaged parts of the bones are replaced. Sports or other types of trauma to the knee can lead to tears in the ligaments. In cases of ligament tears, transitioning to different implants or performing revision surgery may be required.
Will there be pain after robotic knee replacement surgery?
Patients typically stay in the hospital for the first few days after robotic knee replacement surgery, during which pain relief treatments are provided. In the hospital, pain medication is usually administered through a catheter in the back, allowing patients to comfortably get through this period. After being discharged, patients continue to take various pain medications to manage pain. Most patients pass the first six weeks without experiencing severe pain. If pain persists beyond six weeks, the patient should consult the surgeon who performed the operation.
What should the diet be like after robotic knee replacement surgery?
After robotic knee replacement surgery, smoking and alcohol should be avoided as they can slow down the healing process. It is important for patients to follow a protein-rich diet, as protein is essential for wound healing. However, care should be taken to control weight while following a protein-rich diet, as excess weight can harm the implants. Although there is a belief that consuming organ meat broths speeds up recovery, these foods are rich in cholesterol despite being high in protein. Foods like beans and green lentils are also high in protein and should be considered.
When can a patient walk after robotic knee replacement surgery?
Patients typically begin walking on the same day as robotic knee replacement surgery. For the first two weeks after surgery, patients use crutches while walking. Activities like going outside or walking on uneven ground can vary from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the patient’s condition. Overweight patients, those with weak muscles, or those with loose knee ligaments may require up to 6 weeks, while patients of normal weight with strong muscles, stable ligaments, and good bone quality can go outside after 2 weeks. During the two weeks at home after surgery, there are no restrictions on movements within the house.
What are the signs of infection after robotic knee replacement surgery?
Pain experienced after robotic knee replacement surgery, especially if it is mild and not prolonged during the first two months, is considered normal. However, severe pain that wakes the patient from sleep, accompanied by increased warmth and discharge, or pain that does not subside despite medication, may indicate an infection. Pain after robotic knee replacement surgery is expected to gradually decrease. Pain that disappears and then reappears later could be due to an infection or loosening of the implant.
What are the risks of robotic knee replacement surgery?
Robotic knee replacement surgery is a modern treatment method that yields good results. However, the surgeon’s experience and knowledge are far more important than the robot. The risks of robotic knee replacement surgery can be summarized as follows:
- Due to the slightly longer surgery time in robotic replacement procedures, the risk of infection may relatively increase.
- Since the robot’s arm also enters the surgical field, even though it is covered with sterile drapes, there is still a risk of infection.
- In robotic knee replacement surgeries, two holes are drilled in the femur and tibia to attach pins so the robot can accurately identify the patient. These holes and pins, though very rarely, may increase the risk of fractures in the femur and tibia.
