I have put off having both my knees replaced for over 8 years.I have finally decided to get it over with.
I went to a surgeon about 8 years ago and was told I was bone on bone and would eventually have to have them replaced. I had 3 injections at that time for relief and then gel injection.
I'm currently looking for a great Doctor to do the surgery.
One of the Doctors I have on my short list uses a Makoplasty robotic arm.

If you have had a total knee replacement and the surgeon used the Makoplasty robotic arm how was your outcome?

I'm not completely sold on this procedure.

My buddy had it done a little over a year ago and is doing great. Walks a few miles daily, rides his bike, works out, etc.

Whatever happens, Lon, best of luck and I hope the replacement is completely successful!

I was told the same about 6 years ago & got the three injection series. About 18 months later I got another three injection series. Three years ago the VA did a one injection gel. This was my third gel injection & my knees are still good after 3 years.

I am bone on bone in my right knee and it is scheduled for Mako total knee replacement on Mar 7.

Everything I have come across regarding the Mako system is all good. There are even YouTube vids of the actual procedure if you’d are interested. I’ve watched and it helped me to understand the benefit of Mako.

Just to clarify, it isn’t a “Robot”, it is an assistive device that guides and limits the motion the surgeon makes based on a 3D model of your knee created using an a CT scan prior to surgery.

Expectation is for it to be outpatient surgery, only requiring overnight stay if there is a reaction to the anesthesia. Almost all patients are up and walking same day as surgery. My surgeon has a very good reputation as one of the best in the area.

Hopefully it goes as well or better than expected since my left knee is now starting to give me some grief as well.

I had a total knee done with the Stryker Mako robot system 2 years ago. The first two months was a bitch, the first 6 months I wasn't sure I did the right thing, but about a year post surgery I was feeling pretty good and could again do just about anything I wanted to. Would definitely recommend the Mako procedure.

Do the PT the doc prescribes, you only have so long post surgery to get any results; its not fun but you really have to commit to the PT

A friend of mine had a robotic knee replacement. Got a life threatening infection in it. He later found out the robotic surgeries carry a much higher rate of infection. My wife just had a total knee replacement done the traditional way in late October and was fully recovered in six weeks. There are pre surgery physical therapy programs available that helped her a lot.

I have had both my knees TKR (total knee replacement) and I can tell you that you will feel reborn after the procedure. I don't believe my Doctor did robotic but he is the best in the world. People come to him from South America for treatment.

Regardless how procedure is done, you will say, 'why did I wait so long'. Life will be better.

My advice, start a workout/physical fitness regime now, it will help in the post surgery recovery.

Congrats to feeling better.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
He later found out the robotic surgeries carry a much higher rate of infection.

Is that the case with any robotic surgery? Why would that be?

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From the research I have done the extra problems with Robotic comes from having to drill extra holes above and below the knee to anchor the arms for the robotics machine firmly in place.
Bone shatter is another problem that can occur from the extra holes.
Infection is my biggest worry and the reason I'm going to be very picky about the Hospital that its done at and the Doctor doing the job.

I originally planned to go to the Cleveland Clinic but the distance away from home (Chicago) made me nervous if there was a complication. I also ruled out the Mayo Clinic in MN. for the same reason.
I have since decided to investigate Rush here in Chicago. The one Doctor I wanted no longer does surgery and my second choice will not accept Medicare without adding a $8000 up charge. My third choice uses the Mako robotics in his surgeries almost exclusively.
This is why I posed the question about the Robotic surgery.

Thanks for all the advice.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
He later found out the robotic surgeries carry a much higher rate of infection.

Is that the case with any robotic surgery? Why would that be?

I don't have that answer only going by what he told me after he recovered and did his own research and talked to others who experienced the same thing.

Infection rates are lower in Physician Owned Hospitals that exclusively treat Orthopedic patients. Nursing home patients are often a source of infection in general hospitals.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:
He later found out the robotic surgeries carry a much higher rate of infection.

Is that the case with any robotic surgery? Why would that be?

I supposed it's hard to keep 100% of the oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant from ever leaking.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Infection rates are lower in Physician Owned Hospitals that exclusively treat Orthopedic patients.

My knee doctor is part of one of these. Small surgical hospital with 6 operating rooms but only 20 beds. Founded by a group of 10 doctors, they do primarily orthopedic surgeries, with a small side of other surgeries.

One of my sisters is currently recuperating from this surgery. She loves her Doc and is happy so far with the therapy.
Unfortunately she lives in NH.

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
I had a total knee done with the Stryker Mako robot system 2 years ago. The first two months was a bitch, the first 6 months I wasn't sure I did the right thing, but about a year post surgery I was feeling pretty good and could again do just about anything I wanted to. Would definitely recommend the Mako procedure.

Do the PT the doc prescribes, you only have so long post surgery to get any results; its not fun but you really have to commit to the PT

Had the same done about 2 years ago and 100% agree on the PT.

I work in Ortho and have not seen any increase in infection rate in robotics myself, nor data to support that claim
Until the surgeon is very familiar it does take a bit more time ( the longer a wound is open the greater chance for infection) but in the long run I feel it does provide a better outcome. The guy I assist in these cases has it down Pat and we can get a case done in 90 minutes or less. Some times much less. It does make alignment and gap balancing easier and more predictable
Unless an anesthetic complication they all go home the same day ( not even overnight — I have been doing this 30+ years and I thought that was crazy talk 10 years ago but Is now the standard)
And I see most patients going 0-100 range of motion within 3 weeks.

I just had a partial meniscectomy, and my surgeon has done a lot of work with the Rush Clinic. He was amazing, and I fully see why he’s one of, if not the highest rated orthopedic surgeon in this area. I know my surgery was much less complicated than a total knee replacement, but I just figured I’d add my 2 cents that orthopedic surgeons affiliated with Rush seem to be top notch.

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If you don't mind answering, what is the name of the Doctor you used at Rush?
If you don't want to post here you can Email me.

After researching a couple of the Doctors at Rush I found a couple "problem" Doctors.
One I had contacted and was told he would not accept Medicare without an $8000 up charge.I found that a few years back he was sanctioned for not actually doing the surgery but having other Doctors do the surgery, several at a time, in different operating rooms and either stepping in to supervise or monitoring on a video.
system.

The other doctor did a minimally evasive surgery technique in partnership to a knee replacement maker. There was a very high failure rate on the replacement knees, a multi million dollar fine was imposed.

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Originally posted by armored:
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If you don't mind answering, what is the name of the Doctor you used at Rush?
If you don't want to post here you can Email me.

Dr. Adam Suslak, was my orthopedic surgeon. I’m not sure how affiliated he is with the Rush Clinic anymore, but he proudly speaks of his efforts there in keeping with the cutting edge in minimally invasive surgical procedures. He’s part of the OrthoNY practice - www.OrthoNY.com if you want to read his bio. Hope this is of some help. Good luck!

Going in at 8:30 am tomorrow for TKR on my right knee. Not going to sleep well tonight.