What Is Robotic Knee Replacement?

Robotic-arm assisted knee replacement uses the Mako™ surgical system to plan and execute implant positioning with a level of precision not possible with conventional techniques. Before surgery, a CT scan of your knee is taken and used to build a 3D model of your unique anatomy. The surgeon uses this model to plan the ideal implant size, alignment, and position before entering the operating room.

How It Works

During surgery, the Mako robotic arm provides real-time tactile feedback, guiding the surgeon within the pre-planned safe zone. If the instrument moves outside the planned boundaries, the robotic arm provides resistance — ensuring that bone removal and implant positioning remain precisely on target. The system continuously tracks the position of the femur and tibia throughout the procedure.

This technology is used for both total knee replacement and, where appropriate, partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement.

Benefits

  • Personalised planning — implant size and alignment are mapped to your specific anatomy before the day of surgery
  • Sub-millimetre accuracy — reduces risk of implant malalignment and associated pain or stiffness
  • Optimal bone preservation — precise cuts minimise unnecessary removal of healthy bone
  • Consistent outcomes — reproducible results with reduced variability
  • Improved longevity — better-aligned implants are expected to last longer and perform more naturally

Does It Change Recovery?

Recovery from robotic-assisted knee replacement follows the same timeline as conventional knee replacement. The key advantage is precision at the time of surgery, which is expected to translate to better long-term function and lower revision rates. Many patients report that their knee feels more natural following a robotically-assisted procedure.

Most patients are weight-bearing the same day or the day after surgery and are discharged within 2–4 days.

Availability

Mako™ robotic-arm assisted knee replacement is available at Eastwood Private Hospital. Dr Mooney will assess whether robotic-assisted surgery is appropriate for your individual case and discuss the options with you at your consultation.