Three out of Five Patients Choosing Robotic Knee Transplants: Orthopaedic Surgeon Explains Why

The medical landscape is constantly evolving with new technologies and human intelligence marching together to make treatment a smooth journey. Following a new path, operating theatres across India are seeing a breakthrough in robotic surgeries. 

Once considered futuristic and far-fetched, AI-led robotic surgeries are today’s reality, with more and more patients opting for robotic knee replacement surgery.To know more about this revolutionary progress, OnlyMyHealth talked exclusively with Dr Sanjai K Srivastava, Chairman, Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Apollo Hospitals Lucknow. 

According to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, robotic total knee replacement surgery improves radiological outcomes while increasing the precision of prosthesis placement. Moreover, it has also been associated with fewer soft tissue injuries and blood loss intraoperatively. 

What is Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?

Robotic knee replacement surgery isn’t a total surgery performed by a robot, as one might assume. In robotic knee replacement surgery, there is always an orthopaedic surgeon in charge.

“The robot is a highly skilled and precise assistant that executes the surgical plan devised by the lead surgeon based on the patient’s unique joint anatomy,” explained Dr Srivastava.

How it Works: 

As explained by Dr Srivastava, the robotic knee replacement surgery procedure involves primary steps like: 

• Mapping the patient's knee replacement requirements in 3D.
• Planning the implant placement with millimetric precision.
• Guiding surgical tools in real-time to minimise soft tissue damage.

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Why are More Patients Choosing Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?

As knee replacement procedures are a complex surgical procedure, the factors of precision and skilled performance are non-negotiable. With robotic knee replacement, the chances of human error are minimised, thereby reducing the chances of a re-do. Moreover, this advancement helps reduce post-operative care and fewer visits to the doctor.

According to Dr Srivastava, “Robotic knee replacement significantly lessens post op complications and provides faster recovery, giving a higher extent of function.”

“To answer why it is gaining popularity with three out of five patients opting for it, it can be attributed to its most advanced and latest procedure development in joint replacement, giving the most accurate procedure in a shorter time and less pain, too,” he added.

Benefits of Robotic Knee Replacement over Traditional Method: 

As per Dr Srivastava’s experience, Robotic knee replacement offers: More Accuracy: As compared to the traditional knee replacement procedure, robotic knee replacement is known to give a more accurate placement of the joint, tailored to perfection according to the patient's anatomy. Reduced Surgical Risk: Machines are programmed to function in a certain way, and robotic knee replacement does that efficiently as it performs the surgery in the designated way. While a traditional surgical procedure can be changed mid-procedure.Faster Recovery: As surgical time is reduced, it also helps in reducing the time under anaesthesia, aiding towards faster recovery. Longer Life for Joints: Thanks to robotic precision, joints are also expected to last longer.

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Does It Really Make a Difference in Results?

As per Dr Srivastava, “Yes, absolutely, robotic knee replacement works greatly. Robotic assistance ensures that the implant is placed exactly where it should be, based on the patient’s bone structure and movement patterns. This reduces wear and tear and helps the artificial joint last longer.”

He shared, traditional total knee replacement surgeries often rely heavily on visual judgement and manual instruments. While it is good for some complicated cases, robotic systems are better in textbook cases as they offer precision in every cut, resulting in better better-aligned and natural feeling knee.

Who Can Opt for Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement procedures can often feel daunting, especially without the right information. According to Dr Srivastava, the good news is, everybody who has to undergo knee replacement can opt for the robotic route. “Any patient who needs a knee replacement is a candidate for a robotic knee replacement surgery,” He said.

The Robotic Knee Replacement is Especially Good for: 

• Patients looking for quicker recovery and less rehabilitation therapy.
• Patients with complex joint predisposition.
• Active individuals who want high-functioning joints after surgery. 
• Patients with deformities or complex joint anatomy.

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Conclusion: Robotic Advancement is the Future

Robotic knee replacement surgery isn’t here to replace doctors but to smartly assist them. Moreover, robotic assistance in surgery is beneficial for quick recovery and fewer complications caused by human errors. “Ultimately, the goal is to get patients back on their feet faster and with less pain. Lastly, robotic procedures are helping the doctors do the procedure better than ever before,” Dr Srivastava concludes.