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Knee Replacement Surgery (Mako® Robotic-assisted)

The addition of the latest technology has been described as ‘the gold standard’ of knee joint replacement.

Consultant orthopaedic knee surgeons at Sulis Hospital Bath use the very latest advance technology and treatments to support a patient's journey to better health. The use of the innovative Mako robotic arm system assists our surgeons during total knee replacements and partial knee replacements.

The use of Stryker's Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery has transformed the Joint Replacement Clinic in Bath. The innovative approach to joint replacements offers a higher level of alignment and positioning during surgery, resulting in a faster recovery and reduced post-operative pain.

By using this latest advancement in surgical technology, patients can get back to their active lifestyle quicker, whether it be walking the dog or returning to the golf course.

Benefits of having your knee replacement surgery using the Mako Robotic-assisted technology:

  • Greatly reduces a patient's pain after surgery1
  • Produces faster recovery in early knee movement2
  • Accuracy of joint replacements is improved by 2–3 times3

"Using 3D image mapping and the robotic-arm, I am able to perform knee replacement surgery with an unrivalled level of accuracy"

Mr Bradbury, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon & Knee Specialist
Mako-Robot - 2

The fundamentals of knee joint replacement surgery remains the same. However robotic-arm assisted surgery enables surgeons to have a more predictable surgical experience and offers them a leadership advantage in our evolving healthcare environment.

CT scans prior to the operation are combined with the Mako SmartRobotics systems to create 3D modeling of the joint and bone anatomy. The surgeon uses this technology to create a personalised surgical plan and identify the desired implant size, orientation and alignment based on each patient’s unique anatomy.

Within the operating theatre the surgeon will use the the Mako robotic arm, which supports guiding the consultant within a pre-defined surgical area. The robotic arm uses real-time feedback, preventing the surgeon from moving outside the planned surgical areas. The guidance of the robotic-arm ensures a high degree of precision and accuracy in placing implants.

The surgeon is in control of equipment and surgery at all times and will be guiding the robotic-arm in order to position the implant into place. The robotic technology does not utilise artificial intelligence, and does not move independently without the surgeon's control. The method and technology is there to assist our highly qualified surgeons.

This procedure is only available on a private basis. Our fixed-price package and access to payment plans make it more affordable, even if you don’t have medical insurance.

GUIDE PRICES

Procedure Name Total Guide Price
Robotic Assisted Knee Replacement £15,050
Robotic Assisted Partial Knee Replacement £12,800

Prices are subject to our Terms and Conditions. All total fixed-prices are inclusive of consultant surgeon and consultant anaesthetic fees.

After your initial consultation our Private Patient Advisers will be able to provide you with a formal written quotation prior to your procedure. If you have any questions please contact our Private Patient Team by clicking here

You will require a CT-scan prior to your surgery this is usually undertaken between 2-3 weeks prior to your agreed procedure date. The scan itself will usually take 20 minutes.

Knee Replacement surgery usually involves a general anaesthetic although most patients also have a spinal anaesthetic. This makes the legs completely numb and pain free for a few hours.

The operation can take up to 90 minutes. The surgeon will create a 15 to 30 cm cut down the front of your knee.

Your kneecap is moved to one side so that the joint can be reached. Once the joint has been replaced, the wound is then closed with stitches or clips.

After the operation your knee will be tightly bandaged to help minimise swelling, and in some cases fine drainage tubes may also be left in for up to 48 hours.

Usually patients will be discharged from our hospital after 1-2 nights stay following a consultant's approval.

You will likely be in hospital for 1-2 nights. Although in some cases a longer stay may be required. Our highly experienced Inpatient Physiotherapists will provide you with routine exercises that help you walk the day after the operation.

You are likely to require the use of a walking frame or crutches, gradually progressing to the use of walking sticks.

Once you are fully weight bearing and can manage stairs you will be discharged from hospital. Our Physiotherapists, nurses and hospitality and housekeeping teams will assist you throughout and ensure your stay is comfortable.

Your knee dressing can be peeled off easily ten days after the surgery and, as the stitches are internal, they do not need to be removed. It is advised to have a physiotherapy or nurse review two weeks after your operation.

The private Practice will arrange for you to see your consultant within six weeks after your operation to review your progress.

At six weeks, some of our patients may still require the use of walking aids. However most are walking well and independently at twelve weeks although you may not see the full benefit of surgery for up to a year.

Physiotherapy and routine rehabilitation exercise are recommended throughout your recovery.

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Discover more about precision knee surgery by watching this short film where our experts at Sulis Hospital discuss the detail of robotic-assisted surgery.

Mako procedures have been carried out for over 10 years, with the first knee replacements being carried out in 2006, and the first hip replacement carried out in 2010. Both procedures were conducted in Florida USA. There are 300+ Mako systems assisting with surgery worldwide spanning 19 countries.

Over 70,000 robotic-arm assisted hip and knee procedures have been carried out so far and over 700 surgeons worldwide regularly perform Mako procedures.

  1. Accuracy of UKA Implant Positioning and Early Clinical Outcomes in a RCT Comparing Robotic Assisted and Manual Surgery. Blyth MJ; Jones B; MacLean A; Anthony I; Rowe P; 13th Annual CAOS Meeting, June 12-15, 2013, Orlando, FL, USA
  2. Kayani, Konan, Tahmessabi, Pietrzak, Haddad. Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:930–7. Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved early functional recovery and reduced time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty
  3. Bell SW, Anthony I, Jones B, MacLean A, Rowe P, Blyth M. Improved Accuracy of Component Positioning with Robotic-Assisted Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016 Apr 20;98(8):627-35

Sulis Hospital Bath does not favour one medical product or device over another. We also advise that the robotic arm-assisted surgery may not be suitable for all patients. Please discuss with your consultant, which care pathway and surgical treatment is best for your condition.

Treatment Overview

Sulis Hospital offers innovative robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery. To date, the hospital has performed over 500 robotic-assisted joint procedures.

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