Mako® Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery
East Cooper Medical Center was the first hospital in South Carolina to perform a robotic-arm assisted total knee replacement using Mako®. We now use this advanced technology for total and partial knee replacements as well as total hip replacements.
Mako Total Knee Replacement and Total Hip Replacement allows us to treat patients with greater precision—which helps patients get more immediate relief from their pain, gain back their range of motion, and return to the things they love to do.
If you need joint replacement surgery, you may be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what to expect. For those living with painful early to mid-stage osteoarthritis, Mako is one of the most advanced orthopedic procedures available today.
How Does It Work?
Before Surgery
A CT scan of your joint is used to generate a 3D virtual model of your anatomy. The virtual model is then loaded into the Mako System software and is used to create a personalized preoperative plan for you.
During Surgery
During your procedure, the orthopedic surgeon will use the Mako System to assist in performing the surgery based on your personalized preoperative plan.
- When preparing the bone for the implant, the surgeon guides the robotic-arm within the pre-defined area.
- The Mako System helps the surgeon stay within the planned boundaries that were defined during the preoperative plan.
- Mako allows the surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed.
The Mako System doesn’t actually perform the surgery, it simply helps the surgeon conduct the procedure with greater accuracy and with a minimally invasive method. The surgeon is still the one who is in control.
After Surgery
Post-surgery, your surgeon, nurses and physical therapists will set goals for you to get you moving again. Because of its minimally invasive nature, recovery and healing time is significantly faster than traditional surgical techniques.
What Procedures are Available With Mako Technology?
Orthopedic procedures that can be performed with Mako include:
- Mako total hip replacement – a procedure designed for patients who suffer from non-inflammatory or inflammatory degenerative joint disease of the hip.
- Mako total knee replacement – a procedure designed for accurate alignment and placement of a new knee implant.
- Mako partial knee replacement – a procedure designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis in one or two compartments of the knee.
