MAKOplasty FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Minimally Invasive MAKOplasty^® Partial Knee Resurfacing Procedure

What is the MAKOplasty procedure?

MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing is an innovative treatment option for patients who are living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis disease in the inner, top or outer portion of the knee. It can also be performed as a bicompartmental procedure.

MAKOplasty is powered by MAKO’s robotic arm system, which allows for consistent reproducible precision in performing partial knee resurfacing, a challenging procedure with manual techniques. Our specially trained surgeons use MAKO’s FDA-cleared RIO Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System to perform MAKOplasty through a smaller incision than what is required for traditional manual knee replacement surgery. During the procedure, only the diseased portion of the knee is resurfaced, sparing the patient’s healthy bone and surrounding tissue. An implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again. MAKOplasty is typically covered by health insurance.

How does the MAKOplasty procedure work?

MAKO’s RIO system features a robotic arm that assists the orthopedic surgeon in several ways. First, it combines patient-specific, three-dimensional modeling for pre-surgical planning. Then, during the procedure, the combination of a robotic arm and computer navigation provide the surgeon with real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback, enabling reproducible precision and optimal positioning of the implant within the knee.

Who would be a good candidate for MAKOplasty?

Although the best treatment for each patient must be determined individually, typical MAKOplasty patients share the following characteristics:

• Knee pain with activity, on the inner knee, under the knee cap or the outer knee
• Start-up knee pain for stiffness when activities are initiated from a sitting position
• Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medication
• Early- to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee and damage is localized to one or two knee compartments
• Aren’t quite ready for a total-knee replacement
• Not bow-legged or knock-kneed more than 15 degrees

What are the benefits of MAKOplasty?

The MAKOplasty procedure typically allows patients to experience a shorter hospital stay, minimal blood loss, quicker rehab and a smaller scar. In addition, many MAKOplasty patients are able to return to an active lifestyle within weeks of the procedure.

How long do the implants used in a MAKOplasty procedure last?

All implants have a limited life expectancy that depends on several factors, including a patient’s weight, activity level, quality of bone stock and compliance with doctor’s orders. However, alignment and positioning are also key factors affecting the life expectancy of an implant. The goal of the MAKOplasty procedure is to achieve the absolute best alignment and positioning for your implant to help it last as long as possible.

How do I find out which surgeons perform MAKOplasty at Sky Ridge in Denver?

Give us a call at 720-225-5DOC (5362) and talk to our Physician Referral Manager.