The critical aspect of the phrase robotic knee replacement Melbourne to clarify is that the doctor controls all parts of the process. The robot assists only in the cutting and placing of implants in zones already set by the doctor. Also, the CT scanning of the patient’s anatomy before the surgery creates the 3D map of his or her bones that enables the surgeon to customise the placement plan for implants for the particular patient, rather than basing it on the general population sizing. During the surgery, two small pins mounted on bones around the knee joint help the robot to monitor the exact location in relation to the pre-surgery plan. Thus, the robot helps to keep inside the predefined area and provides a kind of protection against positional uncertainties that occur due to tactile guidance used in the conventional approach. According to the information published on the Melbourne Hip and Knee website, doctors from that clinic performed the first robotic knee replacement in Victoria in November 2017. Later, accreditation was obtained in several Melbourne hospitals and their surgical teams.
The Evidence Base: What Research Currently Shows
Studies show an increase in accuracy and precision in placing implants during the robotic surgery compared to the conventional method. For example, a study published in PubMed that compared MAKO and NAVIO robotic systems for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty showed favourable clinical and radiographic outcomes using either of these approaches after the short-term follow-up and concluded that the use of the concept of robotic assistance but not specific patented systems provided the advantage. In Stryker Mako studies clinical data showed that patients had lower pain scores and higher satisfaction scores after six months of surgery compared to those who received the conventional joint replacement.
There is no long-term data on the revision rate for robotic knee replacements because the registry follow-up data is still being accumulated. Experienced surgeons with high-volume surgery practice have equal accuracy in placing implants in conventional surgical methods, compared to robot-assisted surgery. Thus, it is unclear where exactly the use of robots brings the best results. Based on research, it could be an early stage of the surgeon’s career or the complex anatomy of a particular patient.
Melbourne Surgeons who specialise in Robotic Knee Replacements
Mr Soong Chua was actually among the very first bunch of Melbourne surgeons to get accredited for using Mako and he operates out of not one but two Epworth Private Hospitals one in Richmond and the other over in Box Hill. He’s also got a mate in Shane Blackmore who’s really serious about robotic systems; the guy only uses them for his hip and knee replacements at St Vincent’s in East Melbourne which happens to have not one but two Stryker Mako machines a real rarity in Australia. Then there’s Justin Wong who’s a bit of a jack of all trades, using both the Mako and Navio systems to knock out hip and knee replacements with ease.
Getting accredited requires not just the surgeon themselves to get up to speed but also the theatre nursing staff. Thing is even if a surgeon has got the accreditation, there’s still a limit on where they can operate because not every hospital has the right gear or trained-up staff to match. Which is why when you’re picking a surgeon you also really need to think about which hospital they operate out of its a bit of a package deal.
The Lowdown on Choosing Robotic Over Conventional Surgery
Robotic surgery often drags on a bit longer in the operating theatre, thanks to the need to set everything up, get the machine familiar with the anatomy, and do a few extra checks to make sure everyone’s nice and safe. This isn’t a problem, it’s just what happens when that fancy tech of ours is switched on. Be aware though that the extra time could have a cost implication, depending on where you’re having the op done and what kit you’re using. Not all surgeons are trained up on the robotic systems and not every hospital has the gear, so if your ideal surgeon doesn’t have the robotic capabilities at their preferred hospital then you’ve got a decision to make do you stick with the surgeon or go for the tech?
When it comes to choosing a surgeon for your robotic knee replacement, you should be asking them some pretty pointed questions. For starters, ask them how many robotic knee replacements they’ve done and where they usually operate. And if the robotic system crashes mid-procedure, what’s the plan B? The truth is, a system failure is pretty rare, but not unheard of and the way the surgeon answers that one will tell you if they’re totally reliant on the tech or if their skills hold up even without it.
What to Ask Your Surgeon During the Consultation?
Here are some pretty key questions to ask the Melbourne surgeon you’re considering for a robotic knee replacement. Don’t be shy about bringing them up!
- Are you actually certified to use either the Mako or Navio system, and which one do you reckon is the best bet for my case?
- How many robotic knee replacements have you done in the past, and can you tell me how your results compare to your old-school procedures?
- Where will the op actually be taking place, and is your private health insurance going to cover the costs?
- What implant are you looking to use, and how does it rate on the Australian National Joint Registry?
- What’s the plan for getting me on the road to recovery after the op, and what kind of shape am I likely to be in after a few weeks of rehabilitation?
