Common Questions About MAKOplasty
What is MAKOplasty?
MAKOplasty® Partial Knee Resurfacing is an innovative treatment option for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis (OA) that has not progressed to all three compartments of the knee. It is powered by the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System, which allows for consistently reproducible precision in performing partial knee resurfacing.
How does it work?
The RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System features three dimensional pre-surgical planning. During surgery, the RIO provides Dr. Belniak with real-time visual, tactile, and auditory feedback to facilitate optimal joint resurfacing and implant positioning. It is this optimal placement that can result in more natural knee motion following surgery.
What are key benefits of MAKOplasty?
The MAKOplasty Partial Knee Resurfacing procedure is designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration and potentially offers the following benefits:
• Improved surgical outcome
• Less implant wear and loosening
• Joint resurfacing
• Bone sparing
• Smaller incision
• Less scarring
• Reduced blood loss
• Minimal hospitalization
• Rapid recovery
Who is a good candidate for MAKOplasty?
Typically, MAKOplasty patients share the following characteristics:
• Knee pain with activity, usually on the inner knee and/or under the knee cap
• 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
What are the symptoms of OA of the knee?
Symptoms of OA of the knee include:
• Pain while standing or walking short distances, climbing up or down stairs, or getting in and out of chairs
• Knee pain with activity
• Start up pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position
• Stiffness in your knee joint after getting out of bed
• Swelling in one or more areas of the knee
• A grating sensation or crunching feeling when you use your knee
What causes OA of the knee?
There is no one root cause of OA but the risk of developing symptomatic OA is influenced by multiple factors such as age, gender and inherited traits that can affect the shape and stability of your joints. Other factors can include:
• A previous knee injury
• Repetitive strain on the knee
• Improper joint alignment
• Being overweight
• Exercise or sports-generated stress placed on the knee joints
How long has the MAKOplasty procedure been available?
MAKO’s robotic arm technology was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005. The first MAKOplasty procedure was performed in June of 2006 and more than 3,900 MAKOplasty procedures were performed as of June 2010.
Is it covered by insurance?
As a knee arthroplasty procedure, MAKOplasty is typically covered by most Medicare-approved and private health insurers. It is important to check with your carrier to discuss coverage.
What is the difference between MAKOplasty and traditional knee surgery?
Unlike total knee replacement, MAKOplasty provides the precision of RIO and the contouring design of RESTORIS implants that targets the patient-specific diseased area. MAKOplasty preserves healthy bone, soft tissues and ligaments which allows for an overall less invasive procedure, quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay and more natural knee function in most cases.
How long does the implant last?
All implants have a limited life expectancy that depends on several factors, including a patient’s weight, activity level, quality of bone stock and compliance with doctor’s orders. However, alignment and positioning are also key factors affecting the life expectancy of an implant. The goal of the MAKOplasty procedure is to achieve the absolute best alignment and positioning for your implant to help it last as long as possible.
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