Many patients suffer from the pain and stiffness associated with knee osteoarthritis which interferes with their daily lives. At ORTHOKnox, a new and innovative treatment for patients with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis (OA) who need partial or total knee replacements is MAKOplasty®.
During this procedure at ORTHOKnox, the surgeons control a robotic arm using a specialized guidance system that allows them to precisely determine the damaged area of the knee and place the implant. While performing the procedure, the surgeons have access to a 3-D visualization system and intelligent cutting tool that sends auditory, tactile, and visual feedback. They are able to restore knee function by resurfacing arthritic defects of the knee and do not have to replace the whole knee.
What is knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative bone disease that causes the cartilage in your knee to break down. This leaves no buffer between your bones and can cause pain, swelling, and the knee to lock or give out. It can occur in the medial (inner), patellofemoral (top), or lateral (outer) compartments of the knee. Stages range from minor (slight damage to cartilage but no obvious symptoms) to severe (visible symptoms).
Quick Tips to Prevent Osteoarthritis:
- Control blood sugar
- Exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid overuse
- Communicate with your doctor
Treatment:
If you present with knee pain or stiffness, your doctor at ORTHOKnox may order an X-rays or an MRI to diagnose osteoarthritis, as well as other tests to rule out other diagnoses.
Conservative treatments such as rest, weight loss, physical therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be first recommended, but surgery may be recommended for some patients as the best treatment.
Benefits of MAKOplasty® at ORTHOKnox:
While surgery and rehabilitation vary from patient to patient, here are some possible benefits of a MAKOplasty® procedure:
- Smaller Incisions
With MAKOplasty® at ORTHOKnox, our surgeons use robotic arm technology and 3-D imaging to more precisely make smaller incisions. A typical procedure would require an 8 inch or greater incision, but with MAKOplasty®, the incision can be as small as 2.5 to 3 inches, which leaves a much smaller scar.
- Minimal Removal
Surgeons only remove the diseased portion of your knee. This leaves the healthy tissue and bone untouched! This is especially key if you need a total knee replacement in the future.
- Shorter Hospital Stay
After the typical one-hour surgery, the average hospital stay is 24 hours.
- Minimal Blood Loss
- Quicker Rehabilitation
Most patients are able to walk soon after surgery and are back driving by two weeks.
- Better Able to Achieve a Long-Lasting Implant
The new MAKO Tactile Guidance System™ allows surgeons to more optimally position and align your implant in order to ensure it lasts as long as possible. There is less implant wear and loosening with optimal positioning.
If you or a loved one needs a partial or total knee replacement here in East Tennessee, you can head over to ORTHOKnox in Knoxville, Tennessee, so the board-certified surgeons can provide you with the best treatment available with the new and innovative MAKOplasty® procedure.
With its board-certified surgeons and new MAKOplasty® technique, ORTHOKnox has got you covered if you or a loved one has knee osteoarthritis. For more information about how ORTHOKnox can treat your knee osteoarthritis, call (865) 251-3030, or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form. We look forward to hearing from you!