I had LTKR (left knee replaced) using nanoknee (Arroyo Grande, CA/USA) Nov, 2024, then had Mako (robotic assisted) RTKR, on Feb 17, 2025
Nanoknee:, out-of-pocket upfront cost of $8500 -was told by my primary doctor that an overweight patient in her 50s was back at work in 10 days. she claimed this was an incredible procedure much better than "regular" knee surgery. I disagree
Everything else covered by Medicare.
My experience: STILL a painful recovery, I took medications /opioids every four hours. Initial physical therapy was difficult but I did get to 90° bend (ROM) in less than three weeks. I also had to fly back east for my mom's funeral around three weeks out which I was able to do but I had to use a cane and keep ice on it all night . I would say nanoknee procedure was better than the subsequent surgery but it was not, for me , this miraculous recovery where you are back to jogging in two weeks. THE PA for the doctor that I spoke with by video telehealth said, (after I was crying in pain to her) you just had major surgery!! - it is going to take some time for your body to recover, you had bones cut. So, while I think it was a good surgery -I liked the surgeon, sorry to say it's not some miraculous thing like the new TV commercials are portraying. I think they may be exposing themselves to a lawsuit, to suggest, for instance, a firefighter went back to work "immediately" after nanoknee surgery
Now at four months post op on the left "nano" knee, it is still numb, stiff, pinging pain on occasion, not ready for hiking up a mountain just yet. The scar looks great! But I sometimes feel like a failure because I didn't have a miraculous quick recovery.
The Mako surgery -right knee, (@SCOI) was significantly more painful, at five weeks out I am just now able to space out medication's to seven hours apart but need them first thing in the morning and last thing at night -a combination of painkillers including some hydrocodone. (I use a cane for stability in case knee buckles when walking)
The Mako procedure was totally covered by Medicare
(- me: 66F in otherwise good health with zero other metabolic problems, no diabetes no heart issues whatsoever. I do have a lower pain threshold genetically, due to my fair skin, being "redhead"- the doctor acknowledged this and had experience confirming this) I work full-time and hope to get back to kayaking and hiking soon)
I came here looking to see others experience with nanoknee. I hope this helps, happy to answer any questions