For the man or woman who finds their daily movement as well as comfort hindered by the pain, knee replacement surgery is often absolutely critical. But this is also true: one has to choose the right kind of knee replacement surgery that is to be performed on a patient.
This article is a comprehensive discussion of manual and robotic knee replacements and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
What is Manual Knee Replacement?
Manual knee replacement is traditional surgery in which a diseased or degenerated joint is replaced with implants made from metals and plastics. The surgeon performs an incision to reach the knee joint, trims off the unhealthy parts, and inserts the artificial knee joint.
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Advantages of manual knee replacement
Surgeon’s Expertise:
Surgeons who engage in manual knee replacements may have great experience and sharp skills in this conduct. Having this level of expertise can help in achieving the goal within the procedure that has been implemented for many years.
Cost-Effective:
Some people prefer manual techniques as compared to robotic techniques because manual knee replacement may be cheaper, hence feasible to patients. The lack of high technology in its endowments also lowers general costs.
Wider Availability:
Robotic surgery is not available in all healthcare facilities, especially in small or those situated in rural areas. Knee replacement as a procedure is in most of such cases more accessible and can therefore be an option to consider if one needs it.
Proven Track Record:
For a long time, manual knee replacement has been proven to give a huge boost to mobility and relieve patients of the pain experienced in severe knee issues.
Disadvantages of manual knee replacement
Potential for human error:
Experienced surgeons will obtain good outcomes. However, manual technique allows for increased error rates in comparison to robotic procedures.
Challenges with patient-specific anatomy:
There are special features of the knee joint that weaken at different locations. Thus, one cannot always achieve flawless orientation of the prosthetic parts and may have some impact on the quality of the final outcome.
Longer Recovery Time:
A few studies show that the postoperative recovery period after manual knee replacement might be longer than in the robotic approach. It is because of the increased invasiveness of the procedure and the possibility of improper positioning of the knee joint.
What do we understand by robotic knee replacement?
Robotically assisted knee replacement surgery is commonly known as robotic knee replacement. This surgery was carried out in collaboration with a surgical robot. In this process, the surgeon operates another robotic arm to trim off the affected bone and cartilage, making precise positioning of the artificial joint possible.
Advantages of Robot-Assisted Knee Replacement
Enhanced Precision:
The robotic system plays the role of helping the surgeon to place and orient the implant with a great level of precision. This level of accuracy may possibly translate to improved biomechanics of the joint.
Minimally Invasive:
The use of robots in operations may indeed involve the use of fewer skin cuts than manual operations. This leads to less damage to other tissues, little if any pain after operation, and brief periods for recovery in many individuals.
Long-Term Outcomes:
The precision of the robotic systems can contribute to sustainable advantages in knee function, decreased implant wear, and lower revision rates. Patients could have a long-term, fully functional artificial joint as compared to the conventional situation.
Patient-Specific Implants:
Robotic technology can help surgeons choose and place implants based on the patient’s anatomy. This ensures the endoprosthesis fits the patient’s anatomy.
Disadvantages of Robotic Knee Replacement
Higher Costs:
When using the robotic systems, the overall costs of the procedure are higher. These costs may be shifted to the patient by hospitals and surgical centers, making robotic-assisted knee replacement a more costly osteotomy.
Learning Curves for Surgeons:
Not all surgeons are even familiar with the robotic systems, and even if they are, they will need to mature to master the robotic systems. due to the high cost and steep learning curve that are associated with this kind of advanced technology.
Technology Dependence:
The application of robotics in the surgery brings along the complications that come with relying on an electronic-based system, which creates vulnerability to technical hitches that may interfere with the surgery.
Conclusion
Manual as well as robotic knee replacement surgeries also have their own benefits and risks. The best approach can be discussed with Dr. Rajesh Malhotra, one of the best Knee Replacement Surgeons in Delhi, who provided valuable input.
