Total Knee Replacement

Causes of Knee Pain

Since knee pain can originate from a variety of causes, it is vital to have a complete evaluation and specific diagnosis prior to treatment. Knee pain can be caused by an injury, osteoarthritis or can happen over time due to over use or disease.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the knee. Osteoarthritis is a process where the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. Osteoarthritis may be caused by excess stress on the joint such as repeated injury or being overweight.

Total knee vs. partial knee replacement

Based on the severity of the arthritis in the knee, total or partial knee replacement may be recommended by a surgeon. Both procedures involve the orthopaedic surgeon guiding the Mako™ Robotic-Arm to remove diseased bone and cartilage.

What is the Mako Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

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 modeling of bone anatomy, surgeons can use the Mako System to create a personalized 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.

How does Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery work?

It all begins with a CT scan of your joint that is used to generate a 3D virtual model of your unique anatomy. This virtual model is loaded into the Mako system software and is used to create your personalized preoperative plan.

Prior to surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, you and your family will attend a free Joints Matter program at the Hospital. You will know exactly what to anticipate before and after the surgery, the daily expectations of rehabilitation therapy, and what you can do to recover more quickly.

During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm while preparing the knee and positioning the implant based on your personalized pre-operative plan. The Mako system also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed. When the surgeon prepares the bone for the implant, the Mako system guides the surgeon within the pre-defined area and helps prevent the surgeon from moving outside the planned boundaries. This helps provide more accurate placement and alignment of your implant.

Your Recovery

After surgery, you’re taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (recovery room) for one to two hours. You’re then moved to your private room in one of Silver Cross’ surgical units, where you typically stay for a couple of days before going home, or a rehabilitation facility. You may feel some pain, but medications prescribed by your doctor should help control it. Your surgeon, nurses and physical therapists will set goals with you to get you back on the move. They will closely monitor your condition and progress. Your surgeon may review an x-ray of your new hip replacement with you.

During the first few weeks after surgery, you’re more likely to experience a good recovery if you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions. If needed, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers outpatient rehabilitation. Just ask your surgeon for a referral.

After surgery, if you require additional assistance when you return home, the Silver Cross Home Health team will be there for you. Our experienced staff will even come out prior to your surgery to offer assistance in making sure everything is ready when you return home. It is just one of the reasons why we have been recognized as a HomeCare Elite Top Agency for many years.

Surgery is a difficult decision. You should talk with your doctor to better understand the risks and complications before making the decision to undergo total knee replacement; but consider that a study has shown that better outcomes have been reported in those patients who had a total joint operation earlier in their disease process. Two years after their operation, patients who chose surgery earlier in the disease process had improved function and reduced pain compared to those who waited.