Robotic Assisted MAKO Total Knee Replacement

Could the below text be added onto the start of the total knee replacement page with the figures and video. (Except Figure M which should be added to the partial knee replacement page).

Recent advances in joint replacement surgery have led to the development of robotic assisted knee replacement techniques. In a conventional knee replacement surgery, the surgeon uses external jigs and a rod inserted into the thigh bone to place cutting jigs around the knee to perform the required bony saw cuts. In a robotic assisted procedure, a pre-operative scan is performed of your knee and this allows a computerised 3D model of the bones to be used to plan the sizing and position of the implants before the procedure is carried out (Figure L and M).

During the operation the tracker pins and placed to give information during the procedure on the optimum position of the knee replacement to maximise knee movement and stability. The robotic arm is controlled by the surgeon and the bony cuts can be carried out without the use of any jigs in a precise fashion using a saw (Figure A and Video C).

Total knee replacements can be used to treat knee osteoarthritis affecting any of the knee compartments when there are generalised knee pain symptoms. This is the most commonly performed type of joint replacement performed in the knee. (Insert Fig E and G).