Severe knee pain is one of the most widespread and debilitative musculoskeletal problems that older Americans endure. In fact, knee pain is the second most common cause of the chronic pain faced by 100 million people around the country. However, knee pain does not have one single cause.
Knee pain has many potential origins including acute injury, arthritis, overuse, and infection. While medications, physical therapy, and injections are frequently used as non-invasive ways to improve the condition of the knee, surgery is often the only long-term solution. This is especially true for people with arthritis who are suffering from a diminished quality of life due to confined range of motion and intense pain.
Partial Knee Replacement As the Solution
When minimally-invasive treatment methods aren’t enough to resolve knee pain, surgery becomes the best option. In cases where only a confined region of the knee is injured, a partial knee replacement can be completed to minimize the extent of the surgery while still replacing the damaged portion of the knee with plastic or metal parts. Since this operation only alters the injured portion of the knee, the recovery process is usually shorter and easier.
Robotic Partial Knee Replacement With Makoplasty
Mako is a robotic-arm assisted technology that makes it possible to replace the diseased part of the knee in the most efficient way possible. Mako technology provides your knee surgeon with a customized 3-D model of your knee so that your partial knee replacement can be pre-planned. During your surgery, your orthopedic surgeon guides the Mako robotic arm based on this plan.
Overall, the Makoplasty procedure ensures that only diseased bone is removed while healthy bone and soft tissue are preserved. It also makes it possible for your knee implant to be placed and positioned with complete precision. Using an incision that is only ¼ of the size required for a total knee replacement, Makoplasty will help you experience significant pain relief and return to an active lifestyle within just weeks of surgery.
The team at Suncoast Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine is proud to offer the Makoplasty partial knee replacement surgery to patients ready to regain comfort, function, and movement of the knee. Call (941) 485-1505 now to begin working with a team of experienced and diligent doctors who will make your knee pain a thing of the past.