Your hip has been bothering you for years, and now you’re ready to experience relief with the help of joint replacement surgery in Scottsdale, AZ.
You’re in good company. Research shows that 450,000-plus hip replacement procedures are performed in the US each year. This number is slated to climb to 635,000 procedures by 2030.
If you’re considering getting a hip replacement or even a knee replacement, consider choosing MAKOplasty over arthroplasty (the traditional method of replacement surgery). You may be wondering, “What is MAKOplasty, and what are its benefits?”
Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about getting MAKOplasty procedure for your knee or hip Scottsdale.
Let’s jump in!
What Is MAKOplasty vs. Arthroplasty?
MAKOplasty is an innovative joint replacement procedure technology that is more successful and less invasive compared with arthroplasty. Arthroplasty is traditional joint-rebuilding surgery that involves using prosthetics.
Unlike arthroplasty, MAKOplasty involves using a robotic arm system to perform a hip or knee replacement.
MAKOplasty: First Things First
During MAKOplasty, Dr. Shane Martin at The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale will perform an incision that is 2-3 inches long. This is much shorter than the 8-inch or longer incision performed during traditional surgery.
In addition, Dr. Martin will use three-dimensional computer images based on your computed tomography scan. This will help him to determine the best alignment, position, and implant size for you.
Then, during your surgical procedure, Dr. Martin will rely on the MAKOplasty robotic arm to improve their tactile, auditory, and visual control. This will help him to map out the bone areas he wishes to remove so that only those areas are cut away.
Dr. Martin Selectively Targets Your Injured Joint
During MAKOplasty surgery, Dr. Martin will be able to selectively target your hip or knee’s damaged portion. He’ll be able to do this without compromising your remaining healthy tissue and bone thanks to the MAKOplasty robotic arm’s precision.
This means Dr. Martin will be able to repair only your joint’s arthritic part. He won’t have to replace the whole joint. As a result, you’ll be able to keep your original knee.
In addition, he will be able to make the necessary adjustments for soft tissue and muscular alignment.
At the end of the MAKOplasty procedure, Dr. Martin will optimally position an implant in your joint. This will allow your hip or knee to smoothly move again.
Best Candidates for MAKOplasty Procedure
This high-tech procedure is recommended for anyone suffering from osteoarthritis in their knee or hip in Scottsdale. That’s because the procedure can help with relieving pain stemming from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is essentially joint degeneration.
Dealing with Joint Pain
Consider undergoing MAKOplasty if you experience pain in your knee or hip during activities like walking. This pain may appear with movement and then disappear after you stop moving.
If you’re experiencing knee pain, you’ll especially notice pain under your kneecap or in your inner knee. You might also notice stiffness, swelling, or pain in your knee when you try to stand up after sitting.
Although some patients may feel joint pain during movement, others may suffer from constant joint pain. Still others may experience joint pain only after periods of rest.
When to Turn to MAKOplasty
In many cases, joint pain sufferers try to treat their joint pain with anti-inflammatory medicine, but this may not always work. In these situations, MAKOplasty may be the best solution.
As a general rule of thumb, MAKOplasty is ideal for patients with mid-stage or early-stage osteoarthritis. Dr. Martin can examine your joint to see if you would be a good candidate for this robotic surgery.
MAKOplasty Benefits
The FDA-approved MAKOplasty procedure can help surgeons to more accurately perform procedures. Part of the reason for this is that it uses data analytics to help doctors to more precisely perform their surgeries.
This leads to improved outcomes for individuals undergoing total or partial knee and hip replacements. For instance, because a MAKOplasty incision is relatively short, this can lead to less blood loss and less scarring.
Let’s take a look at the many other benefits of MAKOplasty.
A Natural-Feeling Implant
As we mentioned earlier, Dr. Martin can position your knee or hip implant optimally with the MAKOplasty robotic arm. That’s because the technology will help them to sculpt your joint and align your implant properly. As a result, you can expect your knee and hip to feel more natural following surgery.
Less Time in the Hospital
Another benefit of MAKOplasty is that it can be an outpatient procedure. This means a shorter stay in the hospital compared with traditional joint replacement surgery. Just one night at the hospital will likely be all you need after your procedure.
Easier Recovery
MAKOplasty also leads to increased comfort and faster pain relief. That’s because the tissue damage that occurs during this type of procedure is minimal.
You’ll enjoy a shorter recovery time and more mobility as well. This means you can return to your normal daily activities more quickly. You should be able to be active again within one month of your post-surgery physical therapy (more on this later).
Long-Term Implant Reliability
MAKOplasty additionally helps to reduce implant loosening and wear. Therefore, you can expect your implant to stay intact for years to come.
Also, as we highlighted earlier, most of your knee will remain intact after MAKOplasty. As a result, if you need a total joint replacement procedure down the road, you’ll still be a candidate for this.
What Happens Before Surgery?
Before your surgery, you may want to start an exercise regimen or try to lose weight. This will help you to be as healthy as possible before your MAKOplasty surgery.
Also, stop smoking before surgery. This is important because tobacco will rob the body of oxygen. You will need this oxygen to heal properly after surgery.
Physical Therapy After MAKOplasty
After your MAKOplasty surgery, you’ll may need to undergo physical therapy. This will help your hip or knee to regain its full function.
Recommended Physical Therapy Exercises
During physical therapy, you can perform isometric exercises designed to tighten your knee- or hip-area muscles. You’ll be able to do this without moving your joint. You might also be asked to move different parts of the body, like your ankle, to keep these body parts strong.
Your goal during therapy will be to walk without the help of a walker or cane. You will also strive to stand without assistance. In addition, you will aim to ascend and descend stairs normally.
When Can You Resume Normal Activities After MAKOplasty?
Ideally, you should be able to start working again after six weeks. Your therapist will likely advise you to avoid resuming activities like skiing and tennis until after six months. Likewise, you’ll want to avoid any high-contact sport or jogging immediately following your procedure.
Dr. Martin will ultimately determine when you can perform these types of activities and other activities, like driving or doing low-impact aerobics. Great exercises to engage in once you’re cleared to do them include swimming, bowling, golfing, and walking a long distance.
The more you follow Dr. Martin’s post-surgical instructions and provide the proper at-home care, the smoother and faster your recovery process will be.
How We Can Help with Your Knee or Hip Replacement
If you’re wondering “what is MAKOplasty vs. arthroplasty,” note that the MAKOplasty procedure is a novel surgical procedure that involves using robotic-arm technology. This surgical procedure is designed to offer precise and consistent results with a quicker recovery compared with arthroplasty.
At The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale, we are excited to perform the MAKOplasty procedure for you. Dr. Martin’s Mako SmartRobotics technology can help you to experience a better quality of life through joint replacement.
Get in touch with us to learn more about our MAKOplasty procedure, and schedule a consultation today!
