Fundamentally, a robotic-assisted knee replacement is the same procedure as traditional knee surgery,” Dr. Pui said. “The only difference is the technology we use.”
During all knee replacement surgeries, the damaged bone and cartilage is removed from the joint and kneecap before an artificial joint – which is made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers – is implanted.
Using robotic technology allows doctors to be more precise and accurate when making surgical bone cuts, releasing soft tissue and positioning the implant. This is because doctors have more information to work with.
Before a knee replacement using a robotic-surgical assistant, X-rays of your knee are taken to get detailed information about your specific anatomy. These X-rays are used to plan out the procedure, including the best locations for the surgical cuts and knee implant.
Then, during the procedure, the robotic assistant uses cameras and optical lens tracking to follow the exact position of your leg. The robot provides continuous feedback to your surgeon during your procedure by using infrared cameras and optical trackers to help them make real-time decisions, improve the personalization of the surgery and increase visibility.
“If your leg moves – even just slightly – the robot adjusts so that the surgery is as precise and accurate as possible,” said Dr. Pui. “We can change the measure of the cuts by as little as one millimeter to achieve exactly what we want.