MAKO Partial Knee Resurfacing Offered in Baltimore

MAKO partial knee resurfacing is a treatment option for early to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. MAKO’s RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System enables precision in removing only the diseased portion of the knee, sparing the patient’s healthy bone and surrounding tissue. 

By integrating robotic arm technology into the operating room, patients often are experiencing lower levels of soft tissue trauma during surgery that result in reduced post-surgical pain, as well as better accuracy in implant placement.  

MAKO partial knee resurfacing is an advanced partial knee replacement surgery performed with the RIO Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System. There are two options for performing MAKO depending on where the osteoarthritis is located in the knee.

• Unicompartmental:  any one of the three compartments of the knee, the inner, top, or outer compartments, can be replaced
• Bicompartmental: only two compartments, specifically the inner and top compartments, can be replaced

Prior to surgery, the following steps are taken:

• CT scan of the knee is taken
• 3D model is created using the RIO system’s software
• Pre-surgical plan is developed for positioning the knee implants based on the patient’s anatomy
• The plan is tested and fine-tuned by the orthopedic surgeon who moves the leg through different ranges of motion to ensure the implants will be optimally positioned and the soft tissues of the knee are balanced for a good surgical outcome. The RIO system provides measurements and visualization.
• The final surgical plan is programmed into the RIO system

During surgery, the orthopedic surgeon guides the robotic arm and is in control of it at all times. The RIO system ensures that bone removal stays with the safety zone of the surgical plan. The system provides auditory, visual and tactile feedback, stopping the robotic arm if necessary before bone can be removed outside the planned area. Once the bone preparation is complete, the orthopedic surgeon places the implants in the knee.

The best candidates for MAKO partial knee resurfacing typically have the following characteristics:

• Knee pain with activity, on the inner knee, under the knee cap, or the outer knee
• Start up knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position
• Failure to respond to non-surgical treatment such as rest, weight loss, physical therapy, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication

An alternative to total knee replacement, MAKO partial knee resurfacing allows patients to typically experience:

• Preservation of the healthy bone and tissue
• A shorter hospital stay
• Minimal blood loss
• Quicker rehabilitation
• Smaller incision
• Return to active lifestyle within weeks of the procedure

Patients with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee may find MAKO partial knee resurfacing is the best treatment option to relieve their knee pain and return them to normal activities.