What is joint replacement surgery?
Osteoarthritis, particularly in the knee and hip, is a common problem in older adults, including working-age individuals who engage in strenuous activities such as lifting, squatting, or sitting cross-legged for extended periods. This deteriorates cartilage, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving.
Joint replacement surgery is a treatment method that reduces pain and restores near-normal movement, especially in patients who have failed other treatments. However, traditional surgery can be limited by precision and complications. Therefore, a new technology—"Robotic Joint Surgery"—has been developed to increase efficiency and safety.
What is Robotic Joint Surgery?
Robotic joint surgery is a medical innovation that combines the expertise of orthopedic surgeons with computer systems and intelligent robotic arms. This allows for highly accurate, safe, and minimally damaging surgery.
This system assists surgeons from pre-operative planning to intraoperative surgery. (Intra-operative Navigation) by calculating the position and angle of the artificial joint to millimeters, ensuring a truly optimal fit for each patient's body structure.
Robotic Surgery Process
1. Personalized Leg Scan
Before surgery, the patient will undergo an X-ray scan of their leg bones to determine the alignment, size, angle, and force-bearing path. This system helps the surgeon design the most appropriate artificial joint for each patient in detail.
2. Real-Time Navigation
During surgery, the robotic arm works with a computer system that displays real-time 3D images, allowing the surgeon to visualize the bone structure and precise placement of the implant, allowing them to adjust the direction or angle immediately.
3. Precise Bone Cutting and Artificial Joint Placement
The robot controls the cutting angle, depth, and range of motion to prevent damage to surrounding tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and nerves.
4. Inspection and balance before closing the wound.
After the artificial joint is placed, the surgeon will use the robotic system to assess the compression, extension, and movement of the joint to ensure that the artificial joint functions as naturally as possible.
Advantages of Robotic Joint Surgery Technology
✅ 1. More Accurate Than Traditional Methods
The robotic system can cut bone and position the artificial joint precisely as planned by the surgeon, with millimeter-level precision, reducing errors.
✅ 2. Reduced damage to adjacent tissues.
With a limited range of motion for the robotic arm, the robot cannot move outside the designated area, minimizing injury to tendons, muscles, and blood vessels.
✅ 3. Less pain, faster recovery.
Less blood loss and shorter hospital stays. Most patients are able to walk within 12 hours after surgery.
✅ 4. Personalized implant design.
The artificial joint is customized to each patient's physiology, weight, and bone structure, ensuring the joint functions as naturally as possible.
✅ 5. Extended lifespan of the artificial joint. When the artificial joint is positioned correctly and balanced, material wear is reduced, resulting in a longer lifespan.
Comparison of "Robotic-Assisted Surgery" and "Traditional Methods"
Comparison list of traditional methods: Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Accuracy in bone cutting relies on the surgeon's skill, controlled by a 3D system and an intelligent robotic arm.
Significantly greater or less tissue damage.
Artificial joint positioning can be inaccurate, with millimeter-level precision.
Postoperative pain: Moderate to severe. Minimal pain. Fast recovery.
Recovery period: 4–6 weeks, average 2–4 weeks.
Prosthetic joint lifespan: Approximately 10–15 years, extendable to 20 years*.
*Results vary from person to person.
Who is it suitable for?
• Those with severe knee/hip osteoarthritis.
• Those with joint deformity or previous surgery.
• Those seeking a rapid recovery and a return to daily activities.
• Those seeking a result as natural as possible.
Considerations:
• Not suitable for those with joint infections or complex bone problems beyond the capabilities of the system.
• Requires planning and surgery by an orthopedic specialist.
• Slightly more expensive than traditional methods, but provides more accurate and lasting results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does robotic surgery take longer than conventional surgery?
A: It generally takes the same amount of time as conventional surgery, but requires more pre-operative planning to ensure the best results.
Q: Does the robot perform the surgery in place of the surgeon?
A: No, the robot is merely a tool to help surgeons perform surgery more precisely. The surgeon maintains complete control of every step.
Q: Is robotic surgery painful?
A: Patients generally experience less pain and recover faster than traditional surgery.
Q: How long is the recovery period?
A: Most patients can begin physical therapy within 1-2 days and return home in 3-5 days.
Thonburi Hospital, Thawi Watthana
offers knee and hip surgery using the latest robotic technology.
By a team of specialized doctors.
