Is a Robotic Knee Replacement Right for You?

In the modern era, we’re continually discovering new uses for robots. They can vacuum our floors, deliver our food, and handle a myriad of other tasks.

As robotic technology gets more sophisticated, the use cases expand. Take robotic surgery as an example. With this leading-edge development, surgeons now use robotic arms to assist them during procedures. This supports higher accuracy and more optimal outcomes for the patient. 

Karl Siebuhr, MD, offers robotic knee replacement surgery right here at Reconstructive Orthopaedics of Central Florida in Ocala, Florida. He and our team can help you determine if this kind of surgery fits your knee’s needs. 

If we recommend robot-assisted knee replacement, you’ll probably be curious how that works. 

How the robot assists your surgeon

Robotic surgery doesn’t mean a robot performs your procedure. Instead, Dr. Siebuhr uses the robot as a sophisticated assistant. 

Specifically, if Dr. Siebuhr plans to use a robot, he first creates a 3D plan for your procedure. Using the results from imaging, like your computed tomography (CT) scan, he determines precisely how much bone needs to be removed and exactly where to position your replacement knee.

Then, during surgery, the robotic arm helps Dr. Siebuhr adhere to that plan. It can help him make cuts more precisely and guide the positioning of the prosthetic components going into your knee. 

Research shows that using a robot as a guide helps surgeons perform more precise knee replacements with fewer complications.  

Deciding if a robotic knee replacement is right for you

Robot-assisted surgery offers advantages, but it can come with some drawbacks, too. Using a robot might make your procedure take longer. If you’re not a candidate for more time under anesthesia, Dr. Siebuhr may recommend traditional surgery.

Our team can also work with you to make sure your insurance will cover robotic surgery, too. Typically, insurers will cover this kind of care when it’s deemed medically necessary. If your knee would benefit from the robotic assist, we work with you to make a case for your insurance provider.

Ultimately, each knee and each situation is different. The best way to figure out if robotic knee replacement suits you is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Siebuhr. 

Here at our office, he evaluates your knee and the symptoms you’re experiencing. This helps him determine if using a robot would likely improve your outcomes. It also allows him to make other recommendations tailored to you. You may not need a total knee replacement, for example, so he might suggest exploring the Oxford® Partial Knee implant.

If you think you might need a knee replacement, don’t wait to come see Dr. Siebuhr and our team. Schedule your consultation today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.