Robotic Joint Replacement: Debunking Myths and Revealing the Facts

 Robotic surgery has become a common practice for a variety of procedures, such as biopsies, hernia repairs, heart surgeries, and brain surgeries. The most recent advancement is the use of robotic systems for joint replacements, specifically for the knee and hip. Despite its increasing popularity, some patients remain uneasy or hesitant about robotic-assisted joint replacements due to misconceptions. Dr. A.V. Gurava Reddy. addresses and dispels these myths surrounding robotic knee and hip replacements.

Myth: Robots perform the surgery

Fact: Robots do not operate independently. They are tools that assist the surgeon in performing the procedure with enhanced precision. The robotic system enables the surgeon to make more accurate bone cuts and achieve better implant alignment. However, the robot cannot move or make decisions without the surgeon’s input and control.

Myth: The doctor is not present near the patient during the surgery

Fact: In robotic joint replacement surgery, the surgeon remains right beside the patient throughout the procedure. Unlike other robotic surgeries where the surgeon may control the robot remotely from a console, the robot here acts as an extension of the surgeon’s hands, not a replacement. The surgeon is in full control during the entire operation.

Concerns about Robot Malfunctions

A common concern is that robots, being machines, might malfunction. However, robotic surgery systems are developed with the highest standards of safety and reliability. Surgeons thoroughly check the robotic systems before each use. Additionally, multiple safety features are built into the system to ensure the procedure goes smoothly, and the surgeon retains complete control throughout the operation.

Myth: All robotic technologies are the same

Fact: Robotic technologies vary significantly. It’s essential to understand each system's clinical history. Factors such as the technology’s track record, the number of installations worldwide, and the volume of surgeries performed using the system all contribute to its reliability and performance.

Myth: Conventional surgery is better than robotic surgery

Fact: In traditional knee replacement surgery, surgeons rely on standard tools and their own expertise to ensure proper alignment using surgical instruments, and much of the planning is done in the operating room itself. In contrast, robotic-assisted surgery allows the surgeon to plan the procedure in advance using a 3D CT-based virtual model of the patient’s anatomy. This detailed preoperative planning helps ensure greater precision and accuracy in replicating the patient's natural knee or hip structure.

Furthermore, robotic-assisted surgery requires only the minimum necessary incision size to accommodate the implant, preserving more of the natural joint structures and resulting in less tissue damage, reduced pain, and quicker recovery. Contrary to belief, robotic surgery is not prohibitively expensive; hospitals typically add only a small surcharge to cover the cost of the advanced materials and technology used during the procedure.

Robotic-assisted surgeries like knee and hip replacements enhance precision and recovery. Dr. A.V. Gurava Reddy dispels myths, emphasizing surgeon control throughout. Sunshine Bone and Joint Institute ensures advanced safety, reliability, and patient care.