In May, we recognize Arthritis Awareness Month, as this incurable disease impacts millions of people everyday in some form of joint pain. In fact, there are more than 100 different types of joint pain and diseases considered to be arthritis. 1 Despite being most common among the elderly, particularly women, arthritis can affect anyone of any age or gender.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA), a condition that is sometimes referred to as "wear and tear arthritis" or degenerative joint disease on the knees and hips. Hip and knee pain from severe arthritis can lead to immobility and additional health issues. It is important to seek treatment for OA to slow down the progression of this painful and incurable disease.
Non surgical treatment options for hip and knee arthritis can include injections, medication, physical therapy. Surgery may be the next step when these options have failed. Hip and knee replacement surgeries are some of the most common and successful procedures, offering people a chance to be active and mobile in their golden years.
The use of robotic technology in hip and knee replacement has more added benefits for patients who need to undergo joint replacement surgery. If you have advanced arthritis or debilitating joint pain that limits your ability to move and perform daily activities, you may benefit from robotic hip or knee replacement surgery.
Check out these benefits of using robotic technology in joint replacement surgery:
Faster recovery times: Robotic replacements enable better precision and preserve healthy surrounding tissue, allowing patients to recover faster.3 Patients who undergo robotic joint replacement for arthritis can often return home the same day as their surgery and are up and moving hours after surgery with the help of a physical therapist.
Advanced surgical planning: With MAKO robotic technologies , surgeons can perform more precise joint replacements tailored to each patient's anatomy. As a result, patients can experience a more natural joint feeling and have better long-term outcomes.4
Accurate joint position: 3D imaging is used in robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery. The surgeon can then plan the surgery around your unique anatomy, ensuring your implant is sized and positioned accurately. 3D imaging means healthy bone and tissue surrounding the damaged portion of the joint get preserved.
Less pain and scarring: Arthritis patients typically experience significant pain. An advantage of robotic surgery is that it often results in less surgical pain, minimal scarring, and prevents internal organ adhesion.
Faster return to activities: Unlike traditional surgery with multiple incisions, robotic joint replacement surgery requires fewer incisions, and patients recover more quickly.
Although there is no cure for arthritis, the use of new robotic-assisted technology offers better surgical outcomes in joint replacement. The New Jersey Orthopedic Institute (NJOI) has provided world-class care since 1982 by utilizing cutting-edge Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine treatments.
AUTHOR: Vincent K. McInerney, MD, is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He is currently the longest standing committee chairman of the Medical Society of New Jersey's (MSNJ) Committee on Medical Aspects of Sports. He has served as team physician and medical coordinator for the United States Olympic Team Handball Federation, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dr. McInerney has received the Physician of the Year Award for the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association, Physician of the Year for the Passaic County Medical Society, Educator of the Year Award at Seton Hall University, an active member of the Harvard Medical Alumni Association.
