Robotic assisted total knee replacement

Posted by mhort1213 @mhort1213, May 5, 2019

I need to have my second knee done and since I have had some problems with my first one, I'm considering the Mako robotic assisted surgery and was wondering if anyone has had this done and your experience and advantages, if any.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

@amandaa

Hi @mjdm80 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll see I moved your comment to a post that is already discussing robotic knee replacement. I did this so that you are able to connect with the members here and ask them about their experience.

Where were you looking to have the surgery done?

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As soon as possible!

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Thank you. Robotic TKR is fairly new in our area and prefer someone/somewhere that is very experienced! Thank you.

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I'm from west central Minnesota and I need both knees replaced. The surgeon I talked to does robotic replacements. He said it is more precise. Unfortunately the hospital is short staffed and I'm not sure when I can have mine done. Hopefully before the end of the year.

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@amandaa

Hi @mjdm80 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll see I moved your comment to a post that is already discussing robotic knee replacement. I did this so that you are able to connect with the members here and ask them about their experience.

Where were you looking to have the surgery done?

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I has looking to have it done at Mayo Rochester or Scottsdale. I live in Illinois. I want the most experienced !

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@ktgirl

I'm from west central Minnesota and I need both knees replaced. The surgeon I talked to does robotic replacements. He said it is more precise. Unfortunately the hospital is short staffed and I'm not sure when I can have mine done. Hopefully before the end of the year.

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Are you having it done at Mayo Clinic and if so, do you recommend a specific surgeon?

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@mjdm80

Are you having it done at Mayo Clinic and if so, do you recommend a specific surgeon?

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No I'm having it done in Alexandria MN. My doctor is with Heartland Orthopedics. I've had two surgeries done at Mayo The last one was with Dr. Mark Morrey. He specializes in elbows and does some knees. He recommended someone there but I don't remember the name. He was very good however my elbow is still very painful so I'm not sure if he can help with it. I had the surgery May 7th.

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@mjdm80

Thank you. Robotic TKR is fairly new in our area and prefer someone/somewhere that is very experienced! Thank you.

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I had robotic just 3 weeks ago in Liberty, MO. Doctor said he had done 400-500.
A friend had both hers done that way 6 weeks apart. Things went very well for her back in 2017.
Supposed to be quicker recovery so I chose it.
Everyone is different as I’m finding out. My recovery is not great so far, not horrible either, but I must say after talking to my friend it is not the same.
Therapists and doctors always just say everyone heals differently. So that’s not much help but not sure it’s that much better except for the fit of the prosthesis itself. Supposed to be so much more precise and accurate. Hope they’re right. The pain and swelling still a problem.
Best of luck to you. Mayos should be great!!

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@gobigred

I had robotic just 3 weeks ago in Liberty, MO. Doctor said he had done 400-500.
A friend had both hers done that way 6 weeks apart. Things went very well for her back in 2017.
Supposed to be quicker recovery so I chose it.
Everyone is different as I’m finding out. My recovery is not great so far, not horrible either, but I must say after talking to my friend it is not the same.
Therapists and doctors always just say everyone heals differently. So that’s not much help but not sure it’s that much better except for the fit of the prosthesis itself. Supposed to be so much more precise and accurate. Hope they’re right. The pain and swelling still a problem.
Best of luck to you. Mayos should be great!!

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Thank you. Waiting to hear from them. Hope your pain and swelling subside soon. Take care.

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@gobigred

I had robotic just 3 weeks ago in Liberty, MO. Doctor said he had done 400-500.
A friend had both hers done that way 6 weeks apart. Things went very well for her back in 2017.
Supposed to be quicker recovery so I chose it.
Everyone is different as I’m finding out. My recovery is not great so far, not horrible either, but I must say after talking to my friend it is not the same.
Therapists and doctors always just say everyone heals differently. So that’s not much help but not sure it’s that much better except for the fit of the prosthesis itself. Supposed to be so much more precise and accurate. Hope they’re right. The pain and swelling still a problem.
Best of luck to you. Mayos should be great!!

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Good evening @gobigred.......I was just passing by and saw your post. I especially noticed that you are still having a problem with swelling and pain. However, even with the Mako Robotic TKR, you will still have pain and swelling at 3 weeks post-surgery. What you might be missing is the complement to PT exercises for developing strength and range of motion and that is MFR ( myofascial release therapy) to help with the pain and swelling. I just completed my six weeks of post-surgery PT, twice a week for 6 weeks with a compliment session of MFR. That worked very well.

As the healing begins, the fascia surrounding the surgery can become restricted and require releasing. Scar tissue, which is normal after any surgery, needs to be manipulated and reduced. Let me know if you have any questions about this treatment. Have you heard of MFR? Would you be willing to try it?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.

Chris

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Hi @mhort1213: It's been a few years since your post but I'm hoping you might still be looking at this from time to time ...or anyone else with similar situation. I have the same poor outcome complaints as @mhort1213 after TKR :tight painful tendon, swelling. My left TKR surgery was also in Feb 2019 however I DID have a Mayo robotic assisted. Not done at Mayo Clinic but in Aspen Colorado. Now fast forward it is Nov. 2021 symptoms have very very slowly improved with almost 2 full years of PT. But the symptoms still persist. I have very good ROM and can push through several hours of fairly rigorous activity, BUT I still experience constant swelling and pain. I need another knee replacement on the right leg this time. I too am scared because of the mixed bag outcome. I live Grand Junction, Colorado and am having a terrible time deciding who is a VERY good surgeon in my area. It seems the inconvenience and extra time driving out of town did not pay off for me before. I get mixed reviews on the Steadman Clinic from friends and acquaintances, and all the local in tow surgeons have been terrible to work with. So what did you do @mhort1213? Did you have the second TKR surgery? Where? Which Doc? What is your feedback?

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