Importance of a Robot in Knee Replacement Surgery
by Priya Sharma For Your Medical AssistanceDegenerative
joint disease or osteoarthritis(OA), is among one of the most common and
chronic conditions suffered by people who are older in age. This disease can
adversely affect any joint that is present in the body, but it most commonly
affects the knees, lower back, hips, and necks. Sometimes it can also affect
the small finger joints and the bases of the big toe and the thumb.
What is knee replacement?
This operation
involves removal of parts of the natural knee joint and placing an artificial
one. It is regarded as one of the most common joint replacement surgery.
Although the cost for knee replacement is a little extravagant the long term
effects will help in improving your condition. One undergoes this procedure in
order to relieve themselves of the pain and disability caused due to arthritis
or any other joint related problems while not compromising with the movement.
It is also done to correct some of the long term knee deformity.
Alternatives to
a surgery include taking medicines like analgesics, tramadol etc. Some topical
analgesics are rubbed on the skin that is present over the knee, while others
are injected directly into the knee joint.
Although an
effective surgery, it is not for everyone. You should not go for a knee
replacement if: there is an infection present in the knee, if you are suffering
from a severe nerve disorder, or are suffering from some blood vessel related
disease. Your orthopedic may also advise against the procedure if you are
overweight, are suffering from any sort of a lung or heart disorder that might
complicate conditions during anesthesia or is suffering from a skin condition
like psoriasis.
Who needs knee replacement surgery?
● If you feel like you are experiencing
some sort of a discomfort or instability while walking, standing or while
standing up after sitting for a long time.
● Difficulties while performing
everyday jobs like climbing the stairs or while just walking then it is
recommended to consult your orthopedic.
● If you notice any sort of swelling,
stiffness or tenderness in your joints.
● Chronic or long term pain or swelling
due to some injury.
● Limitations of movement up to a
certain range.
Prior to the surgery:
It is important
to let your doctor know about any of your conditions before the surgery. The
surgeon will explain to you the complete process and will give you an
opportunity to ask any questions and clarify doubts related to the procedure.
You will be asked your complete medical history and you may also undergo a
blood test along with other diagnostic tests. You will also be asked to notify
if you are allergic to any medications or are sensitive to latex or tapes.
Generally, the
patients are asked to fast for eight hours before the start of the surgery
mostly post midnight. You may also be given a certain sedative in order to make
you prepare for the surgery.
The cost for
Arthroplasty or knee replacement varies depending on the type of procedure you
will be undergoing.
What is robot assisted surgery?
Robotic surgery
is a type of surgical procedure where the complete operation is performed by a
robot with the help of computer console including a high-resolution camera that
is fixed to the arms of the robot. This procedure requires minimal invasion by
the doctor themselves, who initiates all the movements resulting in a more
precise and effective operation.
In knee
replacement surgeries the robotic device is known as MAKOplasty. It offers
highly advanced movements, controlled and smooth movement along with superior
precision. This method enables the surgeons to perform complicated and fragile
operations with just a few incisions.
Is it better than the standard orthopedic surgery?
MAKOplasty has
proven to be much more effective in curing and treating ‘degenerative joint
disease’ (DJD) that occurs in the knee and hip area. MAKO successfully combines
computer imaging along with smart instruments in order to help the surgeons
place the implants more carefully and precisely. More accurate placement of the
implants is possible because it uses real – time images and the information
that has been fed into the robot. Before the robotic surgery was invented it
was very difficult for the surgeons to get the placement of the implants right
since physically that precision was not achieved, but now they can easily plan
about the size, rotation, and placement of the implant before the surgery and
achieve the best results for their patients.
The incisions
made during a traditional knee surgery are not as precise as done through MAKO
which is just four to six inches. Fewer incisions mean:
● Lesser complications like an
infection in the surgical site.
● Less loss of blood.
● Less scarring after the operation.
● Shorter time for complete recovery.
The precision
of the MAKO technology preserves the tissues, ligaments, and bones from any
damage during the surgery this results in an improved stability, reduced
dislocations of the implants after the procedure and helps in providing the
patient with a feeling of a more ‘natural’ knee.
Benefits of robot assisted surgery:
Benefits of a
robot assisted knee replacement include:
● It offers an enhanced level of
control and precision during the surgery and allows them to see the sites being
operated better.
● Helps in accurately planning the
alignment, size, and orientation of the implant before the surgery.
● The real – time intra operative
adjustments present in the system ensures the correct soft – tissue balance
during the surgery.
● Offers more leg length regularity.
● Extends the life of the implant by
decreasing the risk of bone and implant rubbing against each other.
Knee replacement cost in Kolkata:
Unilateral
(general ward) without implant – Rs.1,75,000
Semi private
ward – Rs. 2,22,000
Private ward –
Rs. 3,00,000
Semi private
ward – Rs. 2,50,000
Above quoted
are the average prices of a knee replacement surgery, however, the prices vary
from one hospital to the other depending on the availability of facilities and
infrastructure.
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Created on Sep 11th 2017 05:14. Viewed 863 times.