MAKOplasty® Minimally Invasive Knee Resurfacing

MAKOplasty Minimally Invasive Knee Resurfacing

Sky Ridge Medical Center is the First Hospital in metro Denver to Perform Innovative Robotic Arm-Guided Knee Surgery

MAKOplasty^® is a new minimally invasive partial knee resurfacing procedure used to treat early to mid-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee—the most common form of arthritis. MAKOplasty, powered by the RIO Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic system, offers a more precise and consistent result for partial knee resurfacing.

Benefits of MAKOplasty over Total Knee Replacement

MAKOplasty patients may experience a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and a smaller incision as compared to total knee replacement. In addition, many return to an active lifestyle within weeks of the procedure. MAKOplasty can be performed on the inner, top or outer compartment of the knee. It can also be performed as a bicompartmental procedure on the inner and top portions of the knee.

"MAKOplasty allows us to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis at earlier stages and with greater precision. Because it is less invasive and more of the patient’s actual knee remains, it offers a more natural knee motion post-operatively," says Susan Hicks, Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Sky Ridge.

Partial Knee Resurfacing for Treating Early to Mid-Stage Osteoarthritis of the Knee

The opportunity for early intervention is important as OA is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OA leads to pain and limited range of motion.  Through its innovative use of technology, MAKOplasty takes partial knee resurfacing to a new level of precision. When performing MAKOplasty, our surgeons use the RIO, which features a tactile robotic arm and a 3-D patient specific visualization system.

Robotic Arm Provides Extreme Precision for Best Results

During the procedure, the system creates a three-dimensional, live-action, virtual view of the patient’s bone surface and correlates the image to the pre-programmed surgical plan. As the surgeon uses the robotic arm, its tactile, acoustical and visual feedback limits bone preparation to the diseased areas and provides for more optimal implant positioning and placement for each individual patient.

"Precision is key in planning and performing partial knee surgeries," says Hicks. "For a good outcome, you need to align and position the implants just right. Precision in surgery, and in the pre-operative planning process is what RIO can deliver to our patients."

MAKOplasty Frequently Asked Questions>>