Advantages in technology are improving treatment methods in healthcare. With the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning is also growing. AI processes images to guide treatments without needing large equipment. Robotic knee surgery uses this AI-guided navigation to assist in surgeries with a robotic arm. Two-dimensional images from a single camera are turned into a three-dimesional virtual space with the help of AI. 6Dof tracking system allow movements in every direction to be detected. Today, robotic knee surgery is increasingly used for total knee replacement surgeries. It was initially developed partial (unicondylar) knee replacement. The goal of robotic knee surgery is to place the implant with high precision.
What is Knee Replacement Surgery?
Knee replacement surgery is a procedure used in advanced stages of knee osteoarthritis. Today, longer life expectancy and harsh living conditions lead to joint wear and tear. When the knee joint starts to deteriorate, this process usually worsens over time. There are four stages. As knee cartilage wears down, the stage of osteoarthritis progresses. In early stages, non-surgical treatment like injections and hydrogel therapies are recommended, but in advanced stages, knee replacement surgery is advised.
A healthy knee has three important features. First, the joint cartilage must be intact. Second, the ligaments around the knee must be strong. Third, the alignment of the leg must be correct. When these three conditions are disrupted, and there is severe wear and tear, knee replacement surgery becomes necessary. Knee replacement surgery has a high success rate. Its success depends on placing the implant factor is balancing the ligaments around the knee. If ligament balance is not properly adjusted, the knee may have looseness or tightness during certain movements. This can put extra pressure on parts of the implant, leading to early loosening. Knee replacement surgery is an effective treatment with a low risk of complications. It significantly improves quality of life for many years.
What is Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?
Robotic Knee Replacement surgery helps make knee replacement procedures more precise. The implant placed in the knee during surgery is the same as in regular knee replacement. The goal is to position the implant in the best possible way. In robotic knee surgery, it’s the surgeon, not the robot, who performs the surgery. The robotic system assists the surgeon in accurately placing the knee implant. Since special adjustments are needed in this procedure, the surgeon must be experienced in robotic surgery. The robotic system processes data from the patient to create 3D models, allowing pre-surgical planning. This ensures that the plan considers all the patient’s joint movements.
For patients undergoing robotic knee replacement, the plan is integrated with the knee to guide the surgery. The robotic arm helps make precise cuts, staying within the planned area. Since it only targets damaged tissue, there is minimal harm to healthy tissue. This reduces bleeding and pain while speeding up recovery. The implant is placed according to the patient’s anatomy and kinematic features, allowing them to move more comfortably after surgery. Patients can resume life as if they never had surgery, with knee that feels natural. The safety and benefits of robotic knee surgery encourage patients to consider knee replacement confidently.