Robotic-assisted total knee replacement surgery
If severe knee arthritis is causing persistent pain, stiffness and difficulty with everyday activities, total knee replacement may be considered when non-surgical treatments are no longer providing sufficient relief. Robotic-assisted technology can help your consultant orthopaedic surgeon plan and perform the procedure with greater precision, while your individual assessment, surgical technique and rehabilitation remain central to achieving a good outcome.
If you are considering knee replacement, a consultation with a consultant orthopaedic surgeon can help you understand your options and whether surgery may be appropriate for you.
When should you consider a total knee replacement?
A total knee replacement may be considered when knee arthritis is causing persistent pain, stiffness and difficulty with everyday activities, and non-surgical treatments are no longer providing sufficient relief. The decision to proceed with surgery depends on the severity of your symptoms, how much they affect your quality of life and your individual circumstances.
For some people, symptoms can be managed for many years with treatments such as exercise, physiotherapy, weight management and injections. For others, progressive arthritis can eventually make walking, climbing stairs, working or taking part in activities increasingly difficult.
A consultant orthopaedic surgeon can assess your symptoms, examine your knee and review appropriate imaging to determine whether total knee replacement is suitable. The aim is to understand how your knee is affecting you and whether the potential benefits of surgery outweigh the risks in your individual situation.
How common are total knee replacements?
Total knee replacement is one of the most common joint replacement procedures performed in the UK, with tens of thousands of operations carried out each year. The National Joint Registry records knee replacement procedures across the UK, providing valuable long-term information about surgical outcomes and implant survivorship.
The procedure has evolved considerably over time, with improvements in implant design, surgical techniques and computer-assisted technology helping surgeons plan and perform knee replacements with increasing precision.
How does robotic-assisted knee replacement work?
Robotic-assisted knee replacement uses advanced imaging and computer-assisted technology to help your surgeon plan and perform a total knee replacement with a high level of precision. The technology creates a detailed three-dimensional plan of your knee, helping the surgeon assess the alignment, positioning and balance of the joint before surgery.
During the operation, the robotic system provides the surgeon with real-time information to help guide the preparation of the bone and positioning of the knee implant. This allows the surgical plan to be tailored to your individual anatomy and adjusted during the procedure where necessary.
The robot does not perform the operation independently. Your consultant orthopaedic surgeon remains responsible for the procedure, using the robotic system as a tool to support surgical planning, precision and decision-making.
What are the potential benefits of robotic-assisted surgery?
Robotic assistance is designed to help your surgeon plan and perform knee replacement surgery with greater precision. By combining detailed imaging with computer-assisted planning and intra-operative guidance, the technology can help with:
- Accurate preparation of the bone
- Precise positioning and alignment of the knee implant
- Assessment of the balance and movement of the knee during surgery
- Adjustments to the surgical plan based on your individual anatomy
Research has reported potential benefits of robotic-assisted knee replacement in areas such as early functional recovery, implant positioning and patient-reported outcomes. However, robotic assistance does not guarantee a better result or remove the risks associated with knee replacement. Your overall outcome depends on many factors, including your individual health, the condition of your knee, the surgical procedure and your rehabilitation afterwards.
What happens during a robotic-assisted knee replacement?
Before surgery
Your consultant orthopaedic surgeon will assess your knee, discuss your symptoms and treatment options, and arrange the imaging needed to plan your procedure. Your individual surgical plan is then prepared using your knee anatomy and the information from your scans.
During surgery
The robotic-assisted system is used to help guide the procedure according to your personalised plan. The damaged surfaces of the knee are prepared and the replacement components are positioned to restore the function and alignment of the joint. Your surgeon remains in control throughout the operation and makes any adjustments needed during the procedure.
After surgery
You will begin your recovery with pain management, mobilisation and physiotherapy. Your rehabilitation programme will be tailored to your progress, with the aim of gradually restoring strength, movement and confidence in using your new knee.
How long does it take to recover from knee replacement?
Recovery from total knee replacement is a gradual process, and the timescale varies from person to person. Most patients are encouraged to get moving soon after surgery, with physiotherapy helping to restore movement, strength and confidence in the new knee.
Many people can return to everyday activities within the first few weeks, but recovery continues for several months as strength and mobility improve. Returning to higher levels of activity can take longer, and it is important to follow your surgeon and physiotherapy team’s advice throughout your rehabilitation.
Your recovery will depend on factors including your general health, fitness, the condition of your knee before surgery and how you progress with rehabilitation. Your consultant will discuss what you can reasonably expect from your individual recovery.
How long does a knee replacement last?
Modern knee replacements are designed to provide long-term pain relief and function, but no artificial joint lasts forever. How long a knee replacement lasts varies between individuals and can be influenced by factors including age, activity levels, body weight, implant type and how the knee performs over time.
Long-term research from the UK has found that around 82% of total knee replacements remain in place without revision surgery 25 years after the original operation. This provides useful evidence about the long-term durability of knee replacement, although individual results can vary.
If a knee replacement eventually wears or develops a problem, further surgery may sometimes be required to revise or replace the implant. Your consultant can discuss the expected longevity of your particular knee replacement and the factors that may affect it.
What are the risks of total knee replacement?
Total knee replacement is a major operation and, as with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications. These can include:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Bleeding
- Nerve or blood vessel injury
- Stiffness
- Persistent pain
- Problems affecting the knee replacement itself
Some patients may continue to experience pain or reduced function after surgery, while others may eventually require further surgery if the implant wears, loosens or develops another problem.
Robotic-assisted surgery can support surgical planning and precision, but it does not eliminate the risks associated with knee replacement. Your consultant will discuss the potential benefits and risks with you as part of your individual assessment, including whether robotic-assisted surgery is appropriate for your circumstances.
What are the alternatives to knee replacement?
Total knee replacement is not the right treatment for everyone. Depending on the severity of your knee arthritis, your symptoms and your individual circumstances, non-surgical treatments may help manage pain and maintain mobility without replacing the joint.
These may include:
- Exercise and physiotherapy
- Weight management where appropriate
- Injections
- Pain relief
- Knee braces
- Other non-surgical treatments
If you are looking for alternatives to knee replacement, our guide to non-surgical treatment options for knee arthritis explains the available approaches in more detail.
Who performs robotic-assisted knee replacement at Cabot Clinic?
Robotic-assisted knee replacement at Cabot Clinic is performed by consultant orthopaedic surgeons Damian Clark and Richard Baker, who specialise in knee surgery.
Your consultant will assess your symptoms, examine your knee and review your imaging before discussing whether total knee replacement is appropriate for you. If surgery is recommended, they will explain the procedure, the role of robotic-assisted technology and what you can expect during your recovery.
Your treatment will be planned around your individual circumstances, with your consultant guiding you through the decision-making process and your care before, during and after surgery.
References
Could knee replacement be right for you?
If knee arthritis is causing persistent pain, stiffness or difficulty with everyday activities, you can book a consultation with a consultant orthopaedic surgeon to discuss your knee and your treatment options.
Choose a Plan & Scan™ virtual consultation with a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, available nationwide, or a Rapid Access Clinic™ face-to-face consultation in Bristol at North Bristol Community Diagnostic Centre, Cribbs Causeway.