MAKO Total Knee Replacement
Robotic Assisted
Dr. Nicola became certified to perform MAKO robotic arm assisted knee surgery in 2014.
The Procedure
The first MAKO robotic-arm assisted surgery was performed in 2006. Since that first surgery over 50,000 hip and knee procedures have been performed. The Stryker Corporation purchased the MAKO Corporation in 2013 combining Stryker’s industry leading implants with MAKOs robotic arm technology.
The minimally invasive procedure works like this: We use a CT scan to create a 3-D model of the patient’s knee. This helps us plan the implant size, orientation, and alignment. During the surgery, the robotic arm guides Dr. Nicola so that the procedure is precise, and follows the pre-made plan.
Research shows that robotic-assisted knee replacement results in less pain and more accuracy than the traditional manual surgery. Recovery is more rapid and hospital stays are shorter. The overwhelming majority of patients are satisfied with the outcome two years later.
Typical patients are up and walking the same day and are discharged home the next. Sixty percent are recovered at six weeks and 90 percent in 90 or so days.
90 percent of those who undergo knee replacement require total knee replacement.
90 percent of patients needing total knee replacement are candidates for this procedure.
Simply put, the MAKO technology creates a better experience for patients, and advances orthopedic surgery to a higher level.
Why Would I Consider MAKO knee surgery?
Many people who need knee surgery would benefit from choosing the MAKO total knee replacement. The precision of robot-assisted surgery allows Boise’s Dr. Nicola to preserve healthy tissue and bone, and put the knee implant in precisely the right position. This can mean your knee replacement feels more natural. And importantly, all of this combines to get you back to your life’s activities more quickly.
If you’ve been dealing with knee pain for more an extended amount of time, and the discomfort increases with walking or standing, it may be time to see Dr. Nicola about orthopedic knee surgery. He serves all of the Treasure Valley, Meridian, Emmett, Boise and Fruitland.
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