Knee Resurfacing and Hip Replacement

More than 15 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This disease, also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, affects the cartilage in joints and may cause pain, stiffness, swelling and a limited range of motion in the knees and hips. It is mostly a condition of aging, and is most prevalent in people over 60. If you have osteoarthritis, doctors at Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas will likely first suggest one or more of the following: weight loss, if needed; exercise; physical therapy; and medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Mako® for Hips and Knees

Surgery to replace or resurface joints becomes an option if your quality of life is greatly diminished by the disease and you have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living. Surgeons at Centennial Hills Hospital use a system called Mako® both for total hip and knee replacement and partial knee replacement (knee resurfacing).

In the total hip and knee procedure, the entire joint is replaced. In the knee resurfacing procedure, healthy bone, tissue and ligaments in the surrounding area are preserved as much as possible. The Mako system uses robotic technology to enable surgeons to operate using precise movements with the help of a robotic surgical arm.

Total Hip Replacement

In total hip replacement surgery, surgeons remove diseased or damaged cartilage and bone in the hip and replace them with artificial implants. During this procedure, the surgeon first removes the femoral head and inserts a stem into the bone with a metal or plastic ball fastened at the top. Then, the damaged cartilage gets scraped from the hip socket and replaced with a synthetic socket. Finally, the new ball implant connects to the new socket implant with a spacer in between to provide a smooth range of motion. Precise placement of the implants is critical to their longevity and can help avoid post-surgery complications. The steady, robotic arm of the Mako system can help surgeons place implants with more accuracy compared to traditional surgery. This may offer the following benefits:

• Restored stability and mobility
• Increased longevity of the implants
• A faster return to daily activities and exercise

Total Knee Replacement

During a total knee replacement, surgeons remove damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of the knee and replace them with artificial implants. The Mako Total Knee procedure is a treatment option designed to relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis. The Mako system enables surgeons to create an individualized surgical plan for each patient based on their diagnosis and anatomy using a virtual 3D model. The system also helps surgeons virtually modify the surgical plan during the operation as needed. This helps surgeons improve accuracy and have a more predictable surgical experience.

Knee Resurfacing Surgery

If you suffer from osteoarthritis in the inner, top or outer knee compartments, you may qualify for knee resurfacing surgery. Generally, this becomes an option once non-surgical treatments or medication are not working. During resurfacing, surgeons shave away diseased or damaged parts of the knee without replacing the knee entirely. Instead, they insert artificial implants to relieve arthritis in a specific compartment of the knee. In the past, this surgery was difficult to perform due to a lack of precision in placing the implants. Today, the Mako system gives surgeons the accuracy they need to carefully position implants to give the knee a natural range of motion. Using this technology, surgeons can also selectively target the affected areas while preserving healthy bone, tissue and ligaments. Protecting the healthy parts of the knee makes it possible to receive total knee replacement surgery later in life, if necessary. Because of the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, patients may benefit from:

• Smaller incisions than standard surgery
• Reduced blood loss
• Less scarring
• Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.

Be advised that individual results may vary and there are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if Mako is right for you.