Mako Total Knee Replacement
Over the years, knee replacement techniques and technology have undergone countless improvements. Mako Technology was designed to help surgeons provide patients with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and anatomy.
Am I a Candidate for Mako Total Knee Replacement?
Mako Total Knee Replacement may be the best option for you if you suffer from:
- Knee pain that interferes with daily activity, and is persistent even at rest
- Start-up knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position
- Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
How Mako Total Knee Replacement Works
With Mako Total Knee Replacement, surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon who uses the Mako System software to pre-plan your surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon will guide the Mako robotic-arm to remove diseased bone and cartilage. Then the surgeon will insert a Triathlon Total Knee implant.
With over a decade of clinical history, Triathlon single-radius knees are different than traditional knee replacements because they are designed to work with the body to promote natural-like circular motion. This is due to the single radius design of the knee implant. Single radius means that as your knee flexes, the radius is the same, similar to a circle, potentially requiring less effort from your quadriceps muscle.
Benefits of Mako
In clinical studies, Mako Partial Knee resulted in:
- More accurate bone removal and implant placement, which may result in improved outcomes and functioning of the knee
- Less pain in the days and weeks following surgery
- Shorter hospital stay
- Quicker recovery, where 9 out of 10 patients were walking without an aid three weeks after surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Mako covered by health insurance providers?
A: We understand that making sure your total knee replacement is covered by health insurance is important to you. Check with your health insurance provider to verify your specific coverage.
Q: How long has the Mako procedure been available?
A: The first Mako procedure was a partial knee replacement performed in June 2006. Since that time, over 83,000 Mako hip and knee replacement procedures have been performed around the world.
Q: Does the Mako robotic-arm actually perform surgery?
A: No, the robotic-arm doesn’t perform surgery, nor can it make decisions on its own or move without the surgeon guiding it.
Q: How long do knee implants last?
A: Individual results vary and not all patients will have the same postoperative recovery and activity level. The lifetime of a knee replacement is not infinite and varies with each individual.
Take the Next Step
If you think orthopedic surgery may be the solution for your pain, call (916) 758-4774 or use our Find a Doctor tool to connect with a Mako-trained specialist.