Q & A: Less Is More
Partial Knee Replacement Procedure Offers Faster Recovery, Shorter Hospital Stay

L to R: David Johnson, MD; Michael Kavanagh, MD; Matthew Gavin, MD; Nauman Akhtar, MD, MBA. Not pictured: Tim Johnson, MD; Randolph Cook, MD.

Q: What are the benefits of the MAKOplasty procedure?
A: The advantages of partial joint replacement
are numerous. With MAKOplasty, we can add the precision of the robotic technique to limit the bone removed, which allows for precise and better ligament tensioning. In addition, we don’t have to use bulky larger guides to remove the bone and cartilage, allowing it to be done through a limited capsular incision. This makes recovery faster and less painful.
Randolph B. Cook, MD, FAAOS

Q: How does your lifestyle change after MAKOplasty?
A: Patients will have much less pain with daily activities after MAKOplasty. This allows people to increase their level of activity and return to things they enjoy doing.
Matthew Gavin, MD

MAKOplasty Partial Knee Resurfacing preserves more of the joint than a traditional knee replacement procedure. The treatment targets the diseased portion of the knee and spares the knee’s healthy bone and tissue. An implant is then secured in the joint.

Q: How long does the implant last?
A: The first MAKOplasty knee
resurfacing was done in June
of 2006. Therefore, we do not
have data beyond five years
on the survival rates of
MAKOplasty. The short-term
data on MAKOplasty at five
years looks very promising.
Because of the improved
precision of implant positioning
with MAKOplasty, it is expected
to have at least similar long-
term outcomes as reported in
specialized centers for partial
knee arthroplasty. Current 10-
year survival rates in these
specialized centers are 90
percent to 95 percent at 10
years and 85 percent at 20
years.
David C. Johnson, MD

Q: Do patients have any residual knee pain or discomfort after the procedure?
A: Patients can have pain after surgery, but it depends on several factors such as how hard they work post-surgery and how quickly they rehab. Patients are usually very satisfied with the outcome.
Michael Kavanagh, MD

Q: Who is a typical candidate for MAKOplasty? Is there an age limit?
A: Ideal candidates for the MAKOplasty have

• arthritic disease isolated to only one compartment of the knee.
  
• weigh less than 220 pounds (100 kilograms).
  
• do not have significant deformity (bowlegged or knock-knee deformity of the knee).
  
• are still able to extend the knee to within 10 degrees of full extension
  
• are able to bend the knee more than 90 degrees.
  
• have an average activity level and do not have the goal of returning to high impact sports or heavy labor.
  Timothy Johnson, MD
  

Q: How is MAKOplasty different from other knee replacement approaches?
A: A total knee replacement often removes arthritic areas of the joint as well as some healthy portions. This state-of-the-art technology allows for a minimally invasive strategy that leaves the ACL and healthy bone in place.
The MAKOplasty robot features three-dimensional presurgical planning. During surgery, the MAKOplasty system provides the surgeon with real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback to facilitate minimally invasive joint resurfacing and implant positioning. It is this optimal placement that can result in more natural knee motion following surgery and a quicker recovery.
Nauman Akhtar, MD, MBA