Mako Technology Partial Knee

Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery Partial Knee Resurfacing and Replacement

Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery is a treatment option for those living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis in either the medial (inner), patellofemoral (top), or both compartments of the knee. If osteoarthritis (OA) is present in all three compartments of the knee, it is considered advanced, and you would not be a candidate for partial knee resurfacing.

Mako is a robotic-assisted partial knee resurfacing procedure designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to OA. By selectively targeting the part of your knee damaged by OA, your surgeon can resurface your knee while sparing the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding it.

A minimally invasive procedure, Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery can often be performed through a 4- to 6-inch incision over the knee with small incisions in both the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shin). Since healthy bone is preserved, patients who undergo Mako partial knee procedures may still be a candidate for a total knee replacement procedure later in life, if necessary.

The Mako procedure is indicated for patients suffering from unicompartmental or bicompartmental knee disease. A total replacement is sometimes necessary if your surgeon discovers during surgery that your knee has more damage than originally shown in the preoperative X-rays and CT scan.

If you are experiencing any of these, you may be a candidate for surgery:

• Knee pain with activity, usually on the inner knee and/or under the knee cap
• Start up knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position
• Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication

Benefits of the Procedure:

• Improved surgical outcomes
• Less implant wear and loosening
• Joint resurfacing
• Bone sparing
• Smaller incision
• Less scarring
• Reduced blood loss
• Minimal hospitalization
• Rapid recovery

As a knee arthroplasty procedure, it is typically covered by Medicare. In some cases, it may be performed on an outpatient basis depending on what your Mako-certified surgeon determines is the right course of treatment for you. In many cases, patients are permitted to walk soon after surgery, drive a car in the first few weeks and return to normal daily activities shortly thereafter.