Meet Our Robotic-Arm Assistant

Jun 11, 2019

How we’re transforming total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements for our patients using Stryker’s Mako System

Dr Damian Smith completed Canberra’s first Robotic-arm assisted total hip replacement procedure in September 2017 with highly pleasing results. (see article here).

Since that time, he has successfully completed just on 50 robotic-arm assisted procedures, including total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements using Stryker’s Mako System.

This highly advanced robotic technology transforms the way joint replacement surgery is performed, enabling surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience with increased accuracy. 1,2,3,4

With Mako, Dr Smith can provide each patient with a personalised surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and anatomy. Using a virtual 3D model, Mako allows surgeons to create each patient’s surgical plan pre-operatively before entering the operating room. During surgery, Dr Smith can validate that plan and make any necessary adjustments while guiding the robotic-arm to execute that plan.

The Mako Total Knee application is a knee replacement treatment option designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis. Through CT-based 3D modelling of bone anatomy, surgeons can use the Mako System to create a personalised surgical plan and identify the implant size, orientation and alignment based on each patient’s unique anatomy. The Mako System also enables surgeons to virtually modify the surgical plan intra-operatively and assists the surgeon in executing bone resections.

The Mako Partial Knee application is a treatment option designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis that has not yet progressed to all three compartments of the knee. Following the personalised pre-operative plan, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm during bone preparation to execute the pre-determined surgical plan and position the implant. By selectively targeting only the part of the knee damaged by osteoarthritis, surgeons can resurface the diseased portion of the knee, while helping to spare the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding the knee joint. Studies have shown robotic-arm assisted partial knee replacement to be two to three times more accurate than manual partial knee replacement procedures. 5,6,7

The Mako Total Hip application is a treatment option for adults who suffer from degenerative joint disease of the hip. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm during bone preparation to prepare the hip socket and position the implant according to the pre-determined surgical plan.  In cadaveric studies, Mako total hip replacement acetabular cup placement has been shown to be four times more accurate and reproducible than manual total hip replacement procedures. 1

 

1 Nawabi DH, Conditt MA, Ranawat AS, Dunbar NJ et al. Haptically guided robotic technology in total hip arthroplasty: a cadaveric investigation. J Engineering in Medicine. 2012;227(3):302-309.
2 Illgen R. Robotic assisted total hip arthroplasty improves accuracy and clinical outcome compared with manual technique. 44th Annual Advances in Arthroplasty Course. October 7-10, 2014, Cambridge, MA.
3 Anthony I, Bell SW, Blyth M, Jones B et al. Improved accuracy of component positioning with robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016;98-A(8):627-35.
4< Hampp EL, Scholl LY, Prieto M, Chang T et al. Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty demonstrated greater accuracy to plan compared to manual technique. MAKTKA-AJA-9_12509
5 Dunbar NJ, Roche MW, Park BH, Branch SH et al. Accuracy of Dynamic Tactile-Guided Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty. Journal of Arthroplasty. May 2012.  27(5): 803-808.e1.
6 Lonner, JH. Robotic-arm assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Seminars in Arthroplasty. 2009;20(1): 15-22.
7 Lonner JH, John TK, Conditt MA. Robotic arm-assisted UKA improved tibial component alignment: A pilot study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010;468(1):141-6.