Is There Less Pain After a Robotic Knee Replacement?

Orthopaedic surgery remains one of the most dynamic medical specialties, with rapid and innovative advances in treatment and surgery. Recent advances have led to the introduction of robotic knee replacements. This innovative procedure is known to have a range of benefits over traditional methods, including a faster, more straightforward recovery.

One question you may have if you have been recommended a robotic knee replacement, is whether it will hurt. Is a robotic knee replacement less painful than a traditional procedure?

What is robotic knee replacement surgery?

Robotic knee replacement surgery is carried out much like a traditional surgery, only with the aid of a robotic arm and computer. The robotic arm is attached to a wheeled device, and it uses 3D technology to marry up the CT scan of the knee taken before the surgery, to the findings at the time of surgery thus ensuring completely accurate data about the patients knee is available for the surgeon.

The robotic arm doesn’t perform the entire procedure by itself. Instead, it simply governs the surgeon as to the precise place to make the cuts in the bone so that the accuracy of the surgery is significantly enhanced. The surgeon is still responsible for replacing the joint. The robotic arm is simply there to assist.

Does robotic knee replacement surgery hurt?

There is no difference between a robotic knee replacement and traditional surgery in terms of pain felt during the procedure as they are both typically performed under a general anaesthetic.

After the procedure, you will find there is slightly less pain with a robotic knee replacement surgery compared to traditional methods. This is because the robotic arm bone cuts are so precise and prevent the wrong structures being damaged, that less exposure of the knee is necessary to perform safe surgery. This means the tissues around the knee are less traumatised.

So the robot helps the surgeon choose the best place to implant a replacement in each individual patient with more accurate information. It then helps the surgeon put the replacement exactly where they decided to. This means the ligaments either side of the knee will be most comfortable throughout he range of movement of the knee after the operation and should mean the knee is more comfortable with activity in the long run.

The robotic arm surgery therefore seems to be giving patients a better chance of a more comfortable knee in the long term..

What are the benefits of robotic knee replacement surgery?

It isn’t just reduced pain that makes a robotic knee replacement surgery worthwhile. It also offers the following benefits:

• Reduced long-term costs
• Better mobility
• A more natural feel
• Faster recovery time

When you undergo a robotic knee replacement, it typically results in fewer complications. This means less hospital visits and a reduction in cost compared to traditional surgery. As the procedure is also more precise, it means you’ll experience better mobility, alongside a more natural feel. You’ll also recover faster as the surgery is minimally invasive.

If you are interested in finding out more about robotic knee replacement surgery, book an appointment with Mr Webb today.