Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery FAQ at UPMC in South Central Pa.

How Might Robotic-arm Assisted Surgery Help Me?

Robotic-arm assisted surgery for partial and total knee and total hip replacement is the key to a more natural-feeling joint after surgery and offers the following benefits:

• More precise joint alignment
• Less soft tissue damage resulting in less pain, less blood loss
• Healthy tissue and bone preserved
• Optimal implant positioning
• Improved early mobility

How Does Robotic-arm Assisted Surgery Work?

Robotic-arm assisted surgery utilizes three-dimensional pre-surgical planning. During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic-assisted arm to provide real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback to facilitate optimal joint resurfacing and implant positioning. It is this optimal joint placement that can result in more natural knee and hip motion following surgery.

Is Robotic-arm Assisted Surgery Right for Me?

Patients typically share the following characteristics:

• Knee pain with activity, usually on the inner knee and/or under the knee cap, or the outer knee
• Startup knee pain or stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position
• Hip pain with activity
• Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication

If I Have Robotic-arm Assisted Surgery, What Can I Expect?

Robotic-arm assisted surgery can be performed as either an inpatient or outpatient surgery, depending on what your orthopaedic surgeon determines is right for you. Inpatient hospital stays average anywhere from one to three days; outpatients return home the same day. In many cases, patients are permitted to walk soon after surgery, drive a car within two weeks, and return to normal daily activities shortly thereafter.

What is the Lifespan of an Implant?

All implants have a life expectancy that is dependent on several factors, including the patient’s weight, activity level, quality of bone stock, and compliance with physician orders. Proper implant alignment and precise positioning during surgery are also very important factors that can improve the life expectancy of an implant. Robotic-arm assisted surgery can help ensure implants are optimally aligned and positioned to ensure the longest benefit.

*Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any knee and hip surgical procedure. Your physician can explain these risks and help determine if robotic-arm assisted surgery is right for you.

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