Technology has improved the ways any task is carried out, and the same is applicable for surgeries as well. The term ‘robotic surgery’ or robotically assisted surgery refers to the surgeries that are performed with the help of computer assistance. And when the particular field of medicine in which robotic assistance is utilized involves the musculoskeletal system, it becomes known as robotic orthopedic surgery. And now with the advent of robotic surgical procedures like Mako, having the most precisely performed joint replacement surgeries have become possible.
What Mako is and how it functions?
Mako is the latest addition to robotic orthopedic surgery where the technology of a robotic-arm assistance is utilized to provide the patients with a completely personalized surgical experience. By generating a 3-D model of the patient’s hip joint or the knee, based on the CT scans, Mako lets the orthopedic surgeons to accurately determine the location of placing the implants or the amount of bone to be removed, etc.
In cases of osteoarthritis in the hips, inflammatory or non-inflammatory arthritis and post-traumatic cases, complete hip replacement through robotic orthopedic surgery are performed. In cases of knee problems where a surgery becomes the only way of standing and walking like before again, the partial knee replacement through Mako is suggested as it is less invasive than that of a full knee replacement.
Benefits
The enhanced operation dexterity and the miniature instruments’ size have plenty of benefits to offer. Let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits of robotic orthopedic surgery here:
- Smaller cuts: The surgical equipment is very small in size and the use of robotic technology ensures that only incisions around 1 to 2 centimeters can be made for inserting surgical instruments and camera. Smaller incision also means lesser scarring.
- Less blood loss: As the cut is short, so the blood loss is also very less. Further, robotic orthopedic surgery also ensures decreased chances of blood transfusion during surgery.
- Faster recovery: Patients having undergone robotic orthopedic surgeries recovers faster than those who have had traditional open surgery which means shorter hospital stay and quicker return to regular activities.
- Lesser pain: The advanced robotic surgical system makes the pain a lot lesser as there’s lesser tissue damage since the precision of the robotic device allows the surgeon to have an enhanced the view of the surgical site.
Note that there may be a few risks involved with robotic orthopedic surgery, such as complications regarding anesthesia. However, considering the benefits, precision of the surgical procedure, and satisfying results, it can be said that robotic orthopedic surgery has paved the path for a more improved and upgraded type of musculoskeletal surgeries which will sure to benefit the patients more and more in the coming years. Further, since the demand for precise surgeries using technologically upgraded tools is gradually increasing, a career in the profession of robotic orthopedic surgery can be a promising one as can be seen in salaries hub as well which is a welcome prospect for aspiring doctors.
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