Robotic Surgery

Discover more. Fear less.

Robotics-assisted knee surgery with Smith+Nephew implants can deliver the ultimate knee replacement experience – a quicker, smoother recovery*^1,2† using a naturally shaped knee made from materials designed to last.

Knee replacement has changed – for the better

The earliest knee replacement procedures were performed in 1968 and relied on manual guides and procedures to remove damaged bone and place the implant within the joint.

Over time, more advanced implant techniques were introduced that used long metal alignment rods inserted into the center of the thigh bone (femur). These rods, which help determine the correct anatomic alignment between the knee and hip, provide an attachment point for positioning the surgical cutting guides. Once the bone cuts are made, the surgeon must remove these rods before the new implant can be positioned. More recently, pre-surgery improvements like computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) are now used to help create computer-generated surgical plans for each patient.

However, even with these advances, drawbacks still remain. For example, the use of alignment rods may lead to a risk of surgical complications such as fat embolisms³, CT scans can result in potentially harmful radiation exposure, and pre-surgical MRIs may increase overall costs or add time from consultation to procedure.

The ultimate knee replacement experience

Enter robotics-assisted surgery: combining the advantages of traditional methods with innovations while minimizing the drawbacks to patients. This advanced technology is designed to help me plan and perform your knee replacement surgery with a greater degree of accuracy than is possible with traditional methods,^4-8 and without the need for metal rods, CT scans or pre-surgical MRIs. Smith+Nephew, the only company offering handheld robotics assisted technology for partial and total knee replacements, believes this enhanced level of accuracy can give you a better long-term outcome.^4-6,9

A unique plan

Your knee replacement surgery is as unique as you are because it’s the only one that combines your knee’s anatomy with the specific implant I have chosen for you. As a result, your surgery requires an individualized surgical plan to help ensure your implant is positioned and aligned correctly for your anatomy. With robotics-assisted surgery, I use the NAVIO^◊ Surgical System to create a customized 3D digital model of your knee. This three-dimensional view helps me finalize and verify the right size implant for you and create a detailed surgical plan for how your replacement will be placed in order to optimize movement and function. As an added benefit, the 3D digital model eliminates the need to get a CT scan of your knee before your surgery, which reduces your exposure to harmful radiation.

A natural fit

Of course, robotics-assisted surgery is about more than a detailed 3D view of your knee. The NAVIO Surgical System also helps me perform the procedure as I planned it, giving you the combined benefits of the accuracy of robotics assistance and the skill and training I have developed.^5,6,10,11

When it comes to knee replacement surgery, accuracy is important because if an implant is positioned incorrectly, it may not function as well as it should nor last as long as possible. In addition to its added accuracy, when robotics-assisted surgical procedures are combined with the wide variety of Smith+Nephew implants available, I am able to choose the implant which best meets your needs, including options that allow you to keep more of your natural bone and ligaments, including the ACL.¹² That means your body can maintain more of its natural rhythm and step.^12,13 You may also regain function faster and get discharged from the hospital sooner as compared to conventional technique surgeries.* ^13‡

A wide selection

Knee replacement shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all. With the NAVIO robotics-assisted surgical system, I am able to choose your implant from the widest selection available.¹⁴ Moving beyond the variety of options available, only Smith+Nephew knee implants can be made with a highly durable material called OXINIUM^◊ Oxidized Zirconium. This unique, innovative material has been lab tested to last significantly longer than conventional knee implant materials.^14,15

Why does my knee hurt?

One of the most common reasons for knee pain is osteoarthritis, also known as “wear and tear" arthritis. This disease often requires treatment using either full or partial knee replacement surgery. Generally speaking, as osteoarthritis progresses it causes the smooth cushion between bones (cartilage) to break down. This loss of cartilage can cause your joints to become swollen, hard to move and painful.¹⁷ While there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, there are lots of treatment options, including both surgical and nonsurgical options we should discuss. These include:

1. Lifestyle changes that can include weight loss and reducing activities that are stressful on your knee
2. Physician-prescribed low-impact exercises and physical therapy
3. Medications to decrease swelling and provide temporary pain relief
4. Surgical options, such as arthroscopic surgery, and partial and total knee replacement

Total knee replacement with the NAVIO Surgical System

Most often, this procedure is an option for advanced knee pain and damage. With this type of knee implant I replace the entire knee joint. It’s one of the most common procedures performed in all of medicine.

Since no two knee joints are the same, aligning your new knee implant requires me to match its position with your knee’s existing range of motion. The NAVIO System uses a robotics-assisted, handheld device – placing an additional layer of planning and accuracy directly into my hands.

Traditional surgical techniques still use rods and older methodology.

NAVIO Surgical System

When the skills and training I have developed combine with the latest in robotics-assisted and knee implant technology, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting the ultimate knee replacement experience.

The NAVIO Surgical System uses handheld robotics-assisted technology that helps me plan and perform your unique procedure. This robotics-assisted approach is efficient and more accurate than traditional knee surgery.^5,6,8

At the beginning of your surgery, I use the NAVIO system to create a customized 3D digital model of your knee. This three-dimensional view helps me finalize and verify the selection of your knee implant and create a plan for your surgery without the need for either a CT scan or MRI.

During the procedure, the NAVIO system works in conjunction with the skills and training I have developed to achieve accurate positioning of the knee implant based on your unique anatomy. ^{7,10,11,18,20,21} The system sends precise information about your knee to the robotics-assisted handpiece more than 300 times per second, allowing me to remove damaged surfaces, balance your joint and position the implant with accuracy.^{7,10,11,18,20,21}

The result is a naturally shaped knee, made from materials designed to last longer, that is positioned with an added level of accuracy to allow for a quicker, smoother recovery*^1,2†