Why Arthritis Sufferers Praise Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacements

Arthritis And The Effect On The Knees

Arthritis is chronic joint inflammation, and knee arthritis is just one of the many forms of the disease. With knee arthritis, the cartilage that cushions the knee joints starts to deteriorate. The femur, tibia, and kneecap bones all have cartilage to help the joints bend and move. When the cartilage breaks down, the bones start rubbing together, and bone spurs may form. Arthritis is an afflictive disease that causes painful cramps, stiffness, soreness, swelling, and difficulty moving. Knee osteoarthritis patients with intense knee arthritis may have to undergo surgery.

Osteoarthritis vs rheumatoid arthritis: the difference between the conditions

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two different diseases within the arthritis category. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative form of arthritis that occurs over time as the cartilage and tissues between joints breaks down. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system strikes healthy joints and tissues. Knee osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the knee joints and the blood vessels, skin, eyes, and heart.

Do I have to get surgery if I have knee arthritis?

Over time, patients with knee arthritis will have difficulty walking, standing, sitting, and other basic functions. Patients may be interested in a few alternatives before considering surgery. At first, doctors may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs that can be found over the counter. Doctors may also prescribe supplements like hyaluronic acid to lubricate inflamed joints. However, patients may need stronger interventions like physical therapy and corticosteroid injections. When these methods stop working, doctors may suggest surgery.

Undergoing a knee replacement

During a standard knee replacement surgery, doctors replace a portion or all the knee joint. The damaged bones and cartilage are removed and replaced with surgical implants made from metal and plastic. Surgeons will also replace damaged ligament tissue with surgical implants. Prior to surgery, patients receive anesthetic and numbing medication. While the patient is sedated, doctors make incisions along the knee to extract the damaged bone and joint tissue. Then, the bone and tissues are replaced with implants before the incision is sealed.

What happens during robotic-assisted knee surgery?

Before a robotic-assisted knee replacement, doctors will use a computed tomography (CT) scan to evaluate the area and determine the parts to remove and replace. During the surgery, doctors use a robotic arm to assist with bone and tissue removal, implant placement, and alignment. The robotic arm moves with greater precision and accuracy and is acutely aware of the doctor’s surgical plans. The robotic arm receives information directly from the CT scans and uses the data to conduct the surgery.

The benefits of robotic-assisted surgery

The main difference between a traditional knee replacement and a robotic-assisted replacement is the use of the robotic arm. Throughout the robotic-assisted surgery, surgeons work alongside the robotic arm to perform different tasks and guide the robot. This procedure is an advanced surgical technique that improves joint alignment, tissue removal, and implant insertion.

Consulting a physician

Patients interested in learning more about traditional knee replacement and robotic-assisted surgery should speak to a physician. An orthopedic surgeon is a great resource to discuss concerns around knee replacement. Surgeons will also help patients determine if robotic-assisted knee replacement is the right intervention for arthritis issues.