Knee Replacement and Resurfacing Surgery

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, your physician at Doctors Hospital of Laredo 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 Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology

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 Doctors Hospital use Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery for total knee replacement and knee resurfacing.

Meet the Team

The experienced team of orthopedic specialists at Doctors Hospital of Laredo are with you every step of the way, bringing many years of combined experience and innovative care to help you get back to your active life.

Orthopedic Surgeons at Doctors Hospital of Laredo (L to R): Dr. Dhaval Patel, Dr. Anish Potty, Dr. Eildar Abyar, and Dr. Ramon Soriano

Total Knee Replacement

The Mako Total Knee procedure is designed to relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis. 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 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

Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any knee or hip surgical procedure, including Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if a Mako procedure is right for you.