MAKOplasty® Total Hip Replacement is a novel surgical alternative for patients with arthritis in the hip. In this procedure, a Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System (RIO®) assists the surgeon in aligning and positioning implants more precisely.
The Mako uses more precise incisions and helps achieve optimal joint alignment, which may lead to a better and faster recovery.
MAKOplasty® is a novel surgical procedure performed to relieve pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis. It is performed using the robotic-arm technology that allows the surgeon to precisely perform the surgery through a smaller incision as compared to traditional surgery.
Mako can be used for Total Hip Replacement (THR), which is a procedure designed for patients who suffer from non-inflammatory or inflammatory degenerative joint disease of the hip. The Mako technology provides patient-specific 3-D models to pre-plan your hip replacement.
We place virtual implants on the computer model of your hip, creating a perfect match. Then, we send the enhanced model to the robotic arm of the Mako system. During your robotic hip replacement surgery, also known as Makoplasty, your surgeon uses computer screens to review live feedback of your implant placements.
The best hip replacement operation out there, is through the anterior approach. Anterior - meaning from the front of your hip. Most of the country traditionally goes from the posterior approach. The posterior approach works, but post-operative dislocations are higher than the anterior approach.
You'll get up and walk around, with assistance, the same day as surgery. You'll walk with a walker for a few days or up to a week — mainly for balance. Most people are walking unassisted by the second or third week after surgery. You'll go through at least six weeks of physical therapy.
The single incision measures around 5 inches compared to 10 to 12 inches for traditional surgery and is usually placed on the outside of the thigh.
Your surgeon makes a small incision above your hip and removes the damaged parts of the joint. They then insert the artificial hip joints. Surgery takes about two to four hours. There's little blood loss during robotic arm surgery.
The actual surgery will last approximately one hour and the average hospital stay is less than 24 hours. You will be permitted to walk soon after surgery, and most patients are back to normal daily activities such as driving a car within two weeks.
The benefits of MAKOplasty®
In comparison to traditional surgery, MAKOplasty® provides you with faster recovery. This means less downtime, pain, and follow-up care. In fact, you can usually go home the next day and may even be able to take your first steps in the hospital.
In general, patients are able to walk out of the clinic, and between three to five weeks after the procedure, most report feeling better than they did prior to surgery.
Posterior Approach
The surgeon makes a 4-6 inch incision just behind the hip, along the buttock area. The surgery takes 60-70 minutes. It is the most common approach and provides the greatest patient safety.
Titanium Implants
Both the ball and the socket of the hip joint are replaced with a titanium implant, and a plastic spacer is placed in between. Titanium metal has a long history of established effectiveness in hip replacement and continues to be preferred by many surgeons.
Mako Total Hip has been shown to enable surgeons to place the acetabular cup within +/- 5 degrees of inclination and version compared to the pre-operative plan.
Hip replacement surgical methods
There are two major surgical approach methods for performing a total hip replacement: the posterior approach (more common) the anterior approach (sometimes called the "mini-anterior approach" or "muscle-sparing hip replacement")
Produces minimal blood loss and a smaller scar. Helps preserve healthy bone and soft tissue. Results in less post-operative pain than manual techniques. Provides a quicker recovery and shorter hospital stay.
The Stryker Mako robot sells for $1.25 million for the robot itself, and an added $100,000 service contract is needed every year as well. The robot also uses $1,000 in extra disposable equipment for each case.
Most people will fully recover from hip replacement surgery within a few months to a year, but recovery times vary for each patient. Expect about one to four days of bed rest immediately after surgery, but physical rehabilitation usually starts the same day as your procedure.
High-impact activities such as running and jumping are not recommended after a hip operation unless specifically advised by your doctor.
Improved accuracy and precision: Mako robotic arms aren't subject to fatigue or minute tremors unlike the surgeon's arms. This improves the accuracy when cutting bone and soft tissues and placement of the knee implant.
Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery.