For the 27 million Americans with osteoarthritis, living with joint pain is often a way of life. It’s hard to live life to the fullest when everyday movements like getting out of a car or climbing the stairs is painful. To stay active, many adults are turning to a breakthrough minimally invasive robotic procedure using MAKOplasty^®.

“Orthopedic procedures in general have greatly improved over the past few decades,” says Robert J. Daley, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, who spends his days helping people with knee and hip pain – two joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis. “MAKOplasty, robotic partial knee replacement technology, is a direct reflection of how treatments have improved.”

An easier way to treat knee pain
One option for finding knee pain relief is total knee replacement surgery, which is invasive and requires a long recovery. For those with mild to moderate osteoarthritis in their knee, the pain often isn’t severe enough to require surgery but still limits everyday activities. Adventist Hinsdale Hospital uses MAKOplasty to help this group live pain-free without the long recovery of total knee replacement. In fact, they are the only hospital in the western suburbs to use this technology.

Precision is in the planning
For patients undergoing partial knee replacement surgery using MAKOplasty, the procedure starts before they enter the OR. It’s during a prior CT scan where surgeons plan how the implant will fit. “Using these images we can decide the exact size, position and alignment of the implant,” Dr. Daley says. “It’s this customized plan that allows the knee implant to fit perfectly and feel as close to a normal knee as possible after surgery.”

During the procedure, surgeons make a small incision and resurface the damaged section of the knee using a robotic arm. This leaves healthy bone, ligaments and soft tissue intact. The implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again. The result is a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery than traditional knee replacement.

“Patients who undergo the procedure stay in the hospital overnight and go home the following day,” Dr. Daley says. Patients can also expect about six weeks of physical therapy to help optimize their recovery. “Our goal for them is to have the best functioning knee last for as long as possible,” he says.

According to Dr. Daley, his patients feel like new people after surgery. “Before surgery, they can’t play golf or tennis. A painful knee affects every part of their lives,” he says. “A partial knee replacement helps them quickly get back to the activities they enjoy.”

Wondering if you’re a candidate for MAKOplasty? Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced physicians by calling 866-533-7968.