Precision robotic knee replacements to restore mobility and comfort.
Knee arthritis often worsens gradually and when it starts to stop you going for long walks, playing sports, or affecting your sleep, it’s worthwhile having a think about your options.
In the earlier stages we can consider non surgical techniques, but as the pain worsens and they become less effective, a partial knee replacement or sometimes a total knee replacement is a more reliable long term option.Â
Getting you back to your daily activities sooner.
Total knee replacements are constantly advancing in how we position them with the aim of giving patients the best long term results, and technology evolves to make sure we do this as accurately as possible. 
Implant positioning is linked in with the ligament balance of the knee to get the best outcome. In years gone by we used to put total knee replacements in a standard set position for everyone, but now we are putting knee replacements in patient customised positions based on what the individual knee looked like before arthritis set in. This more modern kinematic functionally balanced alignment may give better results, and a knee sitting within a more native soft tissue envelope can lead to greater patient satisfaction.
To assist us in achieving ligament balance and accurate implant placement, we use modern technology with the Mako robot. Prior to surgery we get a CT scan to ensure we get a virtual 3 Dimensional model of your own personal knee, as well as its relationship to the centre of the hip and ankle, before planning custom virtual positioning of the joint replacement. During surgery we look at the preoperative plan and adjust it slightly depending on how tight or loose the ligaments are within the knee at various positions.
We then make sure that the essential bone is removed and the implants are positioned accurately with robotic guidance for the saw cuts. The haptic boundaries also mean that the saw cuts are constrained to only take away the bone required for the implants, with the aim of less damage to the soft tissues, and the aim of less postoperative pain and a quicker postoperative recovery.
Partial knee replacements.
There are 3 main parts to the knee, and most commonly it is the inside or ‘medial’ partial knee, followed by the outside or ‘lateral’ partial knee, then the kneecap or ‘patellofemoral’ that is replaced.
It’s a good operation for those that have had worsening knee pain for several years and it’s starting to impact on your enjoyment of life. However there are more stringent criteria on those that are eligible for a partial knee, and patient selection is key to give these implants the best long term outcome and you the best result.
Partial knee replacements have been available for many years, but historically have been more technically challenging than total knee replacements. Robotic surgery with preoperative 3D planning and execution, allows accurate implant positioning and ligament balancing of the knee, and helps obtain a smooth transition between the implant and the natural bone.
Recovery
Recovery after surgery
After surgery we would expect you to be in hospital 1-4 days, walking with crutches until weeks 2-3, a single stick for support until weeks 4-6, then walking without aids. You can drive at 4-6 weeks depending on which knee was done. Whether you have had a partial or total knee replacement, most of the acute discomfort will have resolved in a matter of weeks, but like any surgery the body takes several months to fully heal.
