Does Penn Highlands Offer Mako SmartRobotics™ Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery?

What is Mako SmartRobotics^TM?

Mako SmartRobotics^TM is an innovative surgical solution for many people suffering from painful arthritis or degeneration of the knee or hip. The Mako robot uses 3D CT-based planning software so your Penn Highlands Orthopedics surgeon can know more, and cut less. That is, the CT-scan helps your orthopedic surgeon understand more about your unique anatomy to create a joint replacement surgical plan that is extraordinarily advanced in precision and customization to your body. This 3D model is used to pre plan and assist your surgeon in performing your partial knee replacement.

In the operating room, your Penn Highlands Orthopedic surgeon follows your personalized surgical plan while preparing the bone for the implant. The surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm within the predefined area, and Mako’s AccuStop technology helps the orthopedic surgeon stay within the planned boundaries that were defined when your personalized preoperative plan was created. By guiding your doctor during surgery, Mako’s AccuStop technology allows your orthopedic surgeon to cut less by cutting precisely what’s planned to help protect your healthy bone.

It’s important to understand that the surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon, who guides Mako’s robotic arm during the surgery to position the implant in the knee joint. This means Mako Smart Robot does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own or move without your surgeon’s guidance. Mako SmartRobotics^TM also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed.

Does the Robot Perform the Surgery?

No! The specially trained orthopedic surgeons perform surgery using the Mako surgical robot. The surgeon uses the Mako robot’s 3D CT-based planning software to help them better understand more about your unique anatomy to create a joint replacement surgical plan that is extraordinarily advanced in precision and customization to your body.

How does Mako SmartRobotics^TM Work for my Hip Replacement or Knee Replacement?

By the time you research joint replacement surgery, we know you’re ready for relief. That’s why we are thrilled to be the only healthcare organization in our region to offer joint replacement surgery with the Mako SmartRobotics^TM.

Often known as "Mako" (pronounced MAY-ko), Mako SmartRobotics^TM is an innovative technological solution that’s unique from other joint replacement procedures because it begins with your CT scan to allow your surgeon to create a personalized plan based on your unique anatomy as displayed in a virtual model of your joint. This 3D model is used to preplan and assist your joint replacement surgeon in performing your total knee replacement. Your surgeon can target and plan his or her surgical maneuvers before even making the first incision.

The robotic arm assists your surgeon as it is guided by haptic technology that limits the arm within the virtual boundaries. The surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm within the predefined area, and Mako’s AccuStop haptic technology limits the arm within the boundaries that were defined when the personalized preoperative plan was created. By guiding your doctor during surgery, Mako’s AccuStop technology allows your surgeon to cut less by cutting precisely what’s planned to help protect your healthy bone and preserve soft tissue.

The result is fewer, smaller incisions, less blood loss, protection of healthy bone, and ultimately faster recovery—all to provide you with permanent relief from your knee pain so you can get back to what you love.

Note: Mako’s robotic arm is used during the surgery to position the implant in the knee joint. Mako SmartRobotic^TM does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own or move without the surgeon guiding it. Mako SmartRobotics^TM also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed.

What Surgery Options are Available with the Mako Surgical Robot?

Total knee replacement and Partial Knee Replacement

Depending on where the arthritis affects the knee, patients may have an implant inserted in any of the following areas: bicompartmental, medial, patellofemoral and lateral.

Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery may be performed using the Mako Robot Posterior Approach, a minimally invasive surgical technique used in total hip replacement. This technique may be associated with:

• reduced muscle damage
• reduced pain
• faster post-operative recovery

Where can I have my Mako SmartRobotics™ surgery?

Mako SmartRobotics^TM robotic arm-assisted surgery is available from the Orthopedics Surgeons at Penn Highlands DuBois and Penn Highlands Clearfield for joint replacements.

Penn Highlands Healthcare offers advanced orthopedics and sports medicine with comprehensive rehabilitation including physical, speech and occupational therapy.