What is a Mako Total Knee Replacement?

Reviewed by David E. Vizurraga, M.D.

Knee pain shouldn’t limit your life. If you’re considering knee replacement surgery, the innovative Mako robotic-assisted procedure is a significant advancement in orthopedic technology. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about Mako Total Knee Replacement. We cover the technology, what to expect during surgery, the key benefits, the recovery process, and how to find specialists.

Mako Total Knee Replacement, Explained

Mako Total Knee Replacement is a surgical procedure that uses robotic assistance technology to perform knee replacement surgery. Mako is a surgeon-controlled robotic arm system that helps with the precision and accuracy of knee replacement operations. It differs from traditional knee replacement by combining three key elements:

1. The system uses CT imaging to create a personalized model of your knee anatomy before surgery, providing detailed planning capabilities.
2. During the procedure, the robotic arm provides real-time feedback to the surgeon, helping them achieve the planned cuts and positioning more accurately.
3. The technology helps the surgeon stay within predefined boundaries, potentially reducing errors and improving outcomes.

The surgeon remains in complete control throughout the procedure, with the Mako system functioning as an advanced surgical tool, not an autonomous robot.

Who Is a Candidate For a Mako Total Knee Replacement?

Most people who qualify for traditional knee replacement surgery are typically candidates for the Mako robotic-assisted procedure. Patients suffering from degenerative knee conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis that haven’t responded adequately to conservative treatments are primary candidates. Candidates include individuals experiencing persistent knee pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility that significantly impacts their quality of life and daily activities. Those who have tried non-surgical interventions such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and lifestyle modifications without sufficient relief may be considered for this procedure.

The Mako system can be particularly beneficial for patients needing precise implant positioning due to complex knee anatomy or previous surgeries. However, candidacy is determined individually after a thorough evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon. Factors that might influence candidacy include overall health status, bone quality, extent of joint damage, age, weight, and activity level. Some medical conditions may present contraindications, including active infections, severe osteoporosis, or certain neuromuscular disorders. The surgeon will typically request imaging studies, including CT scans, to assess the knee’s condition and determine if the Mako procedure is appropriate for the specific circumstances.

What Does a Mako Total Knee Replacement Procedure Look Like?

1. Customized Pre-Operative Mapping: Before your operation, we create a detailed 3D digital reconstruction of your knee using CT imaging. Your surgeon thoroughly analyzes your specific joint anatomy, assesses the extent of deterioration, checks alignment issues, and examines surrounding tissues. A comprehensive visualization helps determine the exact dimensions, positioning, and orientation needed for your knee implant.
2. Dynamic Intraoperative Feedback: During surgery, the Mako system continuously transmits information to your surgical team. The ongoing data stream allows your surgeon to monitor joint mobility and tension throughout the procedure, making precision adjustments to the surgical approach when necessary.
3. Precision Bone Preparation: In the surgical suite, your surgeon utilizes Mako’s robotic arm technology to precisely excise damaged bone and cartilage from your knee. The system provides physical resistance feedback at predefined boundaries, helping your surgeon maintain the exact parameters established in your pre-surgical plan.
4. Prosthetic Integration: After removing the compromised bone tissue, your surgeon positions the artificial joint components. Following the procedure, you’ll transition to recovery, where you’ll begin the rehabilitation process for your newly reconstructed knee.

4 Key Benefits of a Mako Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Mako Total Knee Replacement offers several important advantages over traditional knee replacement procedures.

1. Improved accuracy and precision are primary benefits, as the robotic system helps surgeons achieve more exact bone cuts and implant positioning, often within fractions of a millimeter of the pre-surgical plan. Precision leads to better implant fit and alignment, which can significantly improve the knee’s function and potentially extend the implant’s lifespan by reducing uneven wear patterns.
2. Personalized surgical planning is another major advantage, with each procedure customized to the patient’s unique anatomy based on detailed CT scan data, allowing for implant positioning that better respects individual anatomical variations.
3. Many patients report less post-operative pain compared to traditional techniques, likely due to the reduced trauma to surrounding tissues and more precise bone preparation. Some patients can recover faster, with many experiencing a quicker return to daily activities and walking with less assistance sooner after surgery.
4. The procedure often results in improved range of motion and better overall knee function, as the precise implant positioning allows for more natural knee mechanics. Long-term outcome studies suggest potentially improved implant longevity, which may reduce the need for revision surgeries later in life.

Mako Total Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery

After a Mako robotic-assisted knee replacement, most patients can expect a more comfortable recovery journey compared to traditional approaches. As we mentioned above, research shows that patients undergoing Mako procedures experience significantly less pain in the days following surgery and achieve better mobility milestones during the early stages of recovery.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s recovery timeline looks a bit different. While many Mako patients are discharged within just a day, others—particularly those with complex medical histories—might stay around 3 days. Your physical therapy regimen will typically include continuous passive motion exercises, strength training, and guided rehabilitation tailored to your specific needs.

The precision of the Mako system in achieving optimal alignment means you’re working with a better foundation throughout recovery. Perhaps the most encouraging thing is what researchers measure with the Joint Awareness Score. Mako patients tend to become less aware of their artificial knee during daily activities, essentially forgetting they have a replacement as they return to normal life.

Remember, though, while the technology offers clear advantages, your own commitment to rehabilitation, health circumstances, and your body’s healing response will all play important roles in your unique recovery journey.

Discover Your Knee Replacement Surgery Options at TSAOG

Your path to renewed mobility and freedom from knee pain starts with a conversation. The knee replacement specialists at TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine are leaders in performing Mako robotic-assisted knee replacements, offering both partial and total knee procedures depending on your specific needs. Our team of highly skilled orthopedic surgeons utilizes Stryker’s advanced Mako Technology to create personalized surgical plans.

Don’t let knee pain control your life any longer. Contact TSAOG today to schedule a consultation with one of our Mako knee replacement specialists. During your appointment, we’ll evaluate your condition, discuss your options, and determine if you’re a candidate for this procedure.

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Resources

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