Robotic Assisted Total Knee Replacement at The West London Knee and Hip Clinic

What are the Advantages of Robot Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery?

Knee replacement surgery has evolved over the years, but one ongoing challenge has been achieving a high level of accuracy when positioning the latest durable knee replacement implants on the market. Robotic-assisted knee surgery improves this accuracy – with a degree of precision that is impossible using other methods.

In fact, robotic surgery allows us to place the knee replacement with an accuracy of 0.1 degree or 0.1 millimetre. Such precision is achieved by mapping your femur and tibia bones, which vary in shape and size from person to person. By creating a bespoke surgical blueprint tailored to your anatomy, we can plan and execute the knee replacement with unparalleled accuracy.

During the procedure, we also track the movement and flexibility or “envelope of laxity” of your knee and observe how it would function as you walk. This type of functional on table kinematic assessment, allows us to plan the best way to position your knee implant, ensuring the joint functions smoothly after surgery.

Knee replacement surgery is a well-established procedure for patients suffering from knee pain due to conditions like osteoarthritis. However, despite its effectiveness, studies show that up to one in five patients may not be completely satisfied with the results of their surgery. This is where robotic-assisted knee replacement offers a solution—helping to improve the outcomes and recovery times for many patients using state of the art high tech precise technology that is continually evolving and improving.

At The West London Knee and Hip Clinic, Dr Imbuldeniya and team are proud to offer robotic assisted total knee replacement surgery to our patients from both leading global manufacturers Stryker and Smith & Nephew who have designed and own the MAKO and CORI robotic systems respectively. This cutting-edge technology allows us to achieve a higher level of precision during the procedure.

Dr Imbuldeniya was one of the first surgeons in the UK and Europe to adopt robotic knee surgery as part of his everyday practice in the NHS at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust and in his private practice in 2018, and had been trained in computer assisted knee and hip surgery in the years prior to this during specialised training placements at Imperial College NHS Trust, London and The Mater Hospital in Sydney.

Private Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery in London

At The West London Knee and Hip Clinic, we use the best available technology for knee surgery. Our MAKO and CORI robotic knee replacement surgeries provide precise and accurate results. With the ability to perform surgery with accuracy to 1 degree, we ensure optimal implant positioning for personalised or kinematic alignment bespoke to your anatomical needs.

By using state-of-the-art robotic technology, combined with high quality implants made from advanced materials such as Oxinium, we can reduce the potential for alignment errors and improve the function and longevity of your new knee joint. The procedure is less invasive and allows for a quicker recovery and a better overall experience for patients.

CORI Robotic Knee Surgery in London

CORI robotic knee surgery is a breakthrough in knee replacement technology, offering less invasive and more precise procedures than traditional methods. This technology combines great anaesthesia, excellent physiotherapy, and strong patient motivation to facilitate rapid recovery, with many patients being able to go home in less than 24 hours. The CORI system is a handheld robotic smart tool that mills away millimetres of bone using optical trackers and navigation software and does not require additional 3D imaging before surgery.

CORI builds on the initial NAVIO system and is designed for both total knee replacement and partial knee replacement surgeries. The system helps our surgeons in planning the most efficient surgery possible by using real-time data to guide the placement of the implants.

The result is a procedure tailored to your knee’s anatomy and a recovery process that’s often faster and smoother than with other methods.

MAKO Robotic Knee Surgery in London

The MAKO robot is an advanced robotic arm that can be used for partial and total knee replacement along with total hip replacement surgery too. The system requires a preoperative CT scan to help plan a 3D model before surgery and the robotic tool can have various surgical instruments attached to it to perform the procedure at an optimum speed to help reduce surgical time and associated risks.

Robotic Surgery and Knee Implants: How It Works

The procedure for robotic assisted total knee replacement starts with a detailed mapping of your knee using a specialised pointer tool. Then, the robotic system guides our knee surgeon in optimally placing the implant, which is especially important for patients who have complex knee joint issues, such as severe knee pain, cartilage damage, or osteoarthritis.

By using robotic technology, we improve the overall function of the knee joint by making precise adjustments during the procedure. Our aim throughout is to ensure that, post surgery, the patient enjoys stability and comfort when performing daily activities.

Robotic Knee Surgery: Benefits for Knee Replacement Patients

Robotic-assisted surgery has numerous benefits for patients undergoing knee joint replacement procedures. One key advantage is the level of accuracy it offers. Traditional knee replacement surgery relies solely on a surgeon’s skill and experience, but robotic technology adds an additional layer of precision, improving the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Some of the specific benefits of robotic-assisted knee surgery include:

Improved Accuracy:

The ability to position knee implants with incredible precision ensures that the knee joint functions optimally post-surgery, which may lead to better long-term outcomes.

Less Invasive:

Robotic-assisted surgery is generally less invasive than traditional methods, as less retraction is needed due to the haptic boundaries that prevent the tools damaging bone and tissue outside a planned or defined area, meaning that there is less disruption to the surrounding tissues.

Faster Recovery Time:

Thanks to the precision of robotic-assisted surgery, patients can often expect a faster recovery time. With excellent anaesthetic techniques, physiotherapy, nursing care, and the right motivation, many patients can return home within 24 hours of the surgery.

Personalized Surgical Planning:

The use of robotic technology allows for highly personalised surgical planning. The surgeon can create a plan that is specifically tailored to your unique knee anatomy, ensuring the best possible fit for your knee implants.

Recovery after Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery

The recovery process following a robotic assisted total knee replacement or robotic assisted partial knee replacement is often quicker than traditional knee arthroplasty methods. This is due to the minimally invasive nature of the surgery and the enhanced precision in implant positioning. In addition to the surgical procedure, your recovery will be guided by a team of healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists and nursing staff, who will help you regain mobility and strength in your knee.

In many cases, patients can expect to start walking on the day after surgery, thanks to the reduced trauma to the tissues surrounding the knee. Your recovery will also be aided by a tailored rehabilitation plan designed to strengthen your knee, improve flexibility, and help manage any inflammation or swelling that may occur. Most patients are able to go home safely after one night stay in the hospital.

Knee Replacement Surgery Outcomes: What to Expect

As with any surgical procedure, it’s important to have realistic expectations about the outcomes. However, patients should expect a significant improvement in their knee function, with reduced pain and improved mobility. The results of partial knee replacement are even better, be it medial unicompartmental knee replacement, lateral unicompartmental knee replacement or patellofemoral joint partial knee replacement as the knee ligaments including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are retained.

Outcomes can vary depending on individual factors, including the extent of knee cartilage damage, your overall health, and how well you follow your post-surgery rehabilitation plan. That said, most patients who undergo a robotic assisted total knee replacement experience positive results.

Why Choose your Private Robotic Assisted Total Knee Replacement at The West London Knee and Hip Clinic?

At The West London Knee and Hip Clinic, we are committed to providing the best possible care for our patients. We use the latest robotic-assisted technology to ensure the highest precision and best outcomes for knee replacement surgery. Our expert consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialises in total and partial knee joint replacement procedures and offers personalised care tailored to your specific needs. Mr Imbuldeniya is one of the most experienced robotic knee replacement surgeons in the UK.

Whether you’re considering total knee replacement or partial knee replacement surgery, we will work with you every step of the way so that the procedure is successful. Our team’s dedication to innovation and patient care makes us one of the leading clinics for knee surgery in London.

Book Your Consultation Today

If you’re struggling with knee pain that is not improving with changes in diet, with weight loss, muscle strengthening, injection treatment or have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis or knee cartilage damage, robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery could be the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact The West London Knee and Hip Clinic today to book a consultation with one of our specialist knee surgeons.

We will work with you to discuss your treatment options, outline the procedure, and help you make an informed decision about how best to safely help you to treat your knee.