As the number of people suffering from knee issues is increasing, so is the number of individuals choosing to get their knees operated. Reasons may be diverse, with arthritis, injury, and regular age-related wear-and-tear being the prominent ones. Knee replacement surgery has proved to be a blessing for thousands of people. It allows them to get rid of knee pain, walk again, and be independent.
Initially, knee replacement surgery was done manually. With advancements in medical technology, today we have robotic knee replacement, which offers greater precision. If you have knee surgery on your mind, it becomes crucial to know and understand the key differences between traditional and robotic knee replacement.
How Traditional Knee Replacement Works
Traditional or manual knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which your surgeon replaces your damaged knee joint with an artificial implant – without using advanced technologies. The surgeon depends on pre-operative imaging, their experience, and hand-held tools to perform the surgery.
Steps in Traditional Knee Replacement:
- The surgeon makes an incision (cut) to access the knee joint.
- They remove the damaged bone and cartilage.
- They manually position the implant, followed by securing it with cement or other fixation methods.
- They close the incision.
Limitations:
Although effective in giving you relief from chronic knee pain, traditional knee replacement depends heavily on the surgeon’s experience and judgement. At times, minor misalignment may occur, which could affect long-term outcomes.
How Robotic Knee Replacement Works
You might assume that a robot performs your knee surgery. However, it is actually a robotic-assisted knee replacement. It uses advanced robotic technology to assist surgeons in performing the procedure, thereby ensuring greater accuracy and better outcomes for the patient.
Steps in Robotic Knee Replacement:
- A 3D scan of the knee is taken, which your surgeon uses to analyse your bone structure and create a personalized surgical plan.
- The robotic system helps the surgeon in removing the necessary damaged bone and cartilage. It helps save damage to surrounding tissues.
- The robotic system, by giving real-time feedback, helps the surgeon position the implant with extreme precision, which ensures better alignment.
- The robotic arm guides the surgeon, reducing errors.
Advantages:
The robotic system ensures customized positioning of the knee implant. It translates into improved knee function, quicker recovery, longer-lasting implants, and less pain post-surgery, and many other benefits.
Key Differences Between Traditional and Robotic Knee Replacement
| Factor | Traditional Knee Replacement | Robotic Knee Replacement |
| Size of Incisions | Longer Cuts of 10-12 inches | Smaller Cuts of 4-6 inches |
| Precision | High precision and accuracy | Precision may be comparatively lower |
| Technique | Surgeon relies on conventional tools and equipment, manual skills, experience, and judgement | Surgeon gets robotic guidance (from advanced computer software & a robotic arm) throughout surgery |
| Customization | Standardized approach for all | Personalized for each patient |
| Recovery Time | Longer recovery because of bigger incisions | Faster recovery due to minimally-invasive nature and high precision |
| Pain | More post-surgery pain | Less pain |
| Blood Loss | More blood loss | Minimal blood loss |
The Cuvis
The difference between the older and newer versions of knee replacement cannot be complete without mentioning the Cuvis Joint Robotic System. It is this high-tech equipment that brought about a revolution in the field of knee surgeries. By making minimally invasive, high precision, and virtually painless knee replacements possible, it has helped people get rid of their fear of the word ‘surgery’.
“I had always been scared of surgery, which made me delay my knee surgery for almost 12 years – till I could not walk at all. After getting robotic knee surgery done, now I feel my fear was baseless, and I should have got my robotic knee replacement surgery done earlier.” – Gurjeet Kaur, Ambala Cantt., Haryana.
Conclusion
Both traditional and robotic knee replacement surgeries are meant to help people suffering from knee issues – by relieving pain and improving mobility. The major difference is in the technique. At a time when advanced technology did not exist, manual knee replacement was the only option. And it gave desired results when the surgeons conducting the surgery were experienced.
However, as medical technology developed and progressed, surgical robots began assisting surgeons with planning and conducting knee surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery offers some major advantages, such as enhanced precision, a faster recovery, and potentially better long-term outcomes. These lucrative benefits are the reason why robotic knee replacement has been gaining so much popularity.
At Sohana Orthopaedic Centre, highly experienced orthopaedists have been performing traditional knee surgeries with inspiring results for more than two decades. At the same time, doctors got trained in the use of robotic technology as soon as it came. With that, thousands of robotic knee surgeries are now being undertaken every year at Sohana Hospital with excellent results.
If you’re considering knee replacement, consult expert ortho specialists at Sohana Hospital to determine which option will be more suitable for you. And get ready to be young once again!
