Hey Zack I can answer for my own TKRs. Both were done using the Stryker/Mako robotic assistant. A CT scan creates a 3D model of your knee pre surgery and identifies what needs to be cut to make room for the implants. The surgeon then uses a cutting tool that is guided by that information. The surgeon can only cut what has been programmed, so it is extremely accurate. My surgeon used it on both of my TKRs.

It is not minimally invasive surgery. In fact TKRs require about an 8" incision. A tourniquet is placed on the thigh to control bleeding during surgery. A small incision is also made into the quad muscle to loosen the patella and move it aside for surgery.

TKRs have become quite routine, but they are invasive, traumatic procedures. Don't let that scare you though. I'd also find a surgeon between his/her late 30s and late 40s, with a solid pedigree from a medical college and residency. They will have performed thousands of procedures and are current on best practices.

All the best. FWIW the surgeries were the best thing to happen to me. The bone-on-bone pain is gone and I'm in the gym every day.

Good evening @zacklucy, Two questions. Sorry, I forgot these items. First, yes the robotic surgery was minimally invasive. I am quite an advocate for "Care that Fits".

And the robotic process improves the surgical accuracy. Because of the multitude of images used to create the 3D image, the surgery automatically stops when a line is crossed by the surgeon. This means that there are no surgical "accidents" that might show up during recovery. My surgeon spent a great bit of pre-surgery time showing me videos of the process. It was quite fascinating.

May you be safe, protected, and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris