Benefits of the Stryker Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Knee Replacement Technique

Your knee undergoes constant use on a daily basis, placing a significant amount of wear and tear on the joint. In addition, damage from trauma to the knee or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis can make everyday activities painful and difficult to perform. Eventually, knee replacement surgery may be required to eliminate pain and restore full function.

Technology innovations such as the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System by Stryker have made knee replacement surgery more precise and effective than ever before. This technology allows our knee surgeon, Dr. Kevin Borchard, to achieve the best possible surgical outcomes for our patients.

What Is Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Knee Surgery?

The Mako-Robotic-Arm Assisted knee replacement technique uses a CT scan to create a 3D virtual model of your knee. This model is highly detailed, allowing Dr. Borchard to use the Mako software to develop a customized surgical plan based on your unique anatomy. In addition, the Mako software allows Dr. Borchard to perform your knee replacement virtually prior to competing the actual procedure. This process makes it easier to anticipate any potential adjustments to the surgical plan that may be necessary.

During your procedure, our knee surgeon can see the pre-surgical plan overlaid on your knee so that it can serve as a guide. The Mako System, under the guidance of Dr. Borchard, will make all incisions during the procedure according to pre-programmed parameters identified using the 3D virtual model of your knee. This improves surgical precision throughout the procedure.

In addition, the Mako Robotic-Arm System contains tracking eyes that are able to adjust for small movements in your knee that may occur during surgery. This increases precision even more and protects the essential structure of the knee, ensuring only the damaged portion of the joint is removed. This technology also ensures extremely precise placement of the implant and facilitates proper balancing of your new artificial joint.

A More Precise and Effective Procedure with Better Surgical Outcomes

The detailed 3D imaging and increased precision provided by the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted knee replacement technique results in a more effective procedure in a variety of ways:

• Creates a personalized surgical plan
• Provides your knee surgeon with real-time sensory feedback throughout the procedure
• Keeps your knee surgeon in complete control throughout the procedure
• Ensures proper preparation of the bone
• Achieves more precise placement of the knee implant

As a result, you achieve a better surgical outcome that includes:

• Smaller scars
• Reduced bleeding
• Greater preservation of bone and healthy tissue
• Reduced risk of surgical complications
• Shorter recovery times
• Less post-surgical pain

According to clinical studies by Stryker, the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System leads to a variety of benefits compared with traditional knee replacement procedures, including:

• More effective execution of surgical plans
• Greater protection of soft tissue and ligaments from damage
• Lower pain scores among patients surveyed six months after surgery
• Better patient satisfaction scores among individuals surveyed six months after surgery

In addition, surgeons have access to Mako SmartRobotics™ Insightful Data Analytics, allowing them to create, analyze and track a scorecard of items they want to improve on future procedures. This helps knee surgeons reduce surgical time, turnover time, complications and readmissions.

Raising the Bar for Knee Replacement Surgery Outcomes on the Western Slope

The extensive training, experience and surgical skill of Dr. Borchard, combined with his use of the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System, have allowed him to achieve knee replacement surgical outcomes that exceed industry standards in a variety of ways, including:

• Discharge to home
• Distance walked prior to discharge above industry standards
• Zero surgical site infections to date

This data clearly demonstrates that Colorado Advanced Orthopedics delivers some of the best surgical outcomes along the Western Slope. Our entire orthopedics team takes great pride in delivering the finest quality care available and helping you get back to living the life you love as soon as possible.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Colorado Advanced Orthopedics serves patients in Meeker and throughout the White River Valley.