Robotic Total Knee Replacement

For unparalleled accuracy in surgery, Dr. Stone uses the Stryker MAKO Robotic-Arm Assisted Orthopaedic System. At an outpatient surgery center, a robotic arm—programmed to follow the 3-D model of the knee—is guided by the surgeon. It removes only the area of damage of the joint and with its impeccable precision, creates a host of benefits to the patient: 

Unique Total Knee Replacement benefits:

• Advanced knee implant that fuses directly with bone to allow a return to high-level and impact sports.

All robotic surgery at The Stone Clinic: 

• Personalized surgical plan
• Extremely high accuracy of anatomical placement¹
• A more natural knee motion
• Quick recovery^2,3
• No muscles are cut, less tissue/bone removal & scarring
• Less pain^4,5,6 & meds
• Outpatient procedure with no overnight hospital stay required

The standard methods and pre-fitted components of traditional total knee replacement surgery give reasonably acceptable outcomes, with marked pain relief for most people. Yet the outcomes are impacted by the fact that bone cement is used to attach the not-quite-precisely-cut bones to the metal implants. As this cement comes loose over time, patients are told to avoid impact exercises for fear of early loosening.

At The Stone Clinic, we use a specialized implant: the MAKO Triathalon Total Knee Implant with a porous undercoating that is specially designed to allow the patient’s bone to grow into the implant. This fixes the device securely to the knee without the use of bone cement, traditionally used to attach the implant to the bone in old hand-held methods of knee replacement surgery. As a result, the risk of implants coming loose due to cement failure is reduced dramatically and full sports are then permitted including running. You may learn more here about the key differences between manual and robotic knee replacement. 

Total Knee Replacement Recovery Timeframe

Below is an estimated timeline for notable recovery milestones after total knee replacement surgery. All times are to be considered approximate, with each patient's actual progression based upon their clinical presentation. Additionally, these estimates are for patients having their joint replaced by Dr. Stone using the Stryker MAKO Robotic-Arm Assisted Orthopaedic System. Recovery times may be longer with other forms of total knee replacement. You may learn more about the first two weeks of the knee replacement rehab patient experience here.

• Walking - Patients are weight-bearing, as tolerated, almost immediately after surgery. Patients walk out of the surgery center 1½ hours after surgery and begin their physical therapy the very next day. 
• Driving - Patients may return to driving, as tolerated, provided they are not under the influence of their post-op prescription pain medications. 
• Return to Work - Varies based upon the physicality of the patient's work. Patients may return within days to a couple weeks if they have a desk job. For more physically demanding work, patients should seek clearance from their physical therapist and their employer. 
• Air Travel - Patients are able to return to air travel after having their operative sutures removed (typically 1-2 weeks after surgery). 
• Cycling/Biking - Well-leg cycling begins on day one after surgery as part of post-op rehab. Most total knee replacement patients can return to normal cycling within the first few weeks after surgery. 
• Swimming/Pool Activities - After having their post-operative sutures removed, patients are able to return to swimming within the first few weeks after surgery. 
• Full Activity / Impact Sports - Patients are typically able to return to full activity between 4-8 months, depending on their strength and commitment to their post-operative rehab program. 

Patients from across the United States and around the world travel to the Robotic Joint Center at The Stone Clinic in San Francisco to have their knees repaired by Dr. Stone. For those patients who do not live in the Bay Area, we offer a complimentary virtual consultation service. 

To find out if a robotic-assisted total knee replacement is right for you, you may schedule a complimentary consultation for Dr. Stone to personally review your injury via a Zoom video conference meeting or a phone call.