Robotic Knee Replacement: Insights From Dr. Satish Kale

Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis, or wear and tear of the knee joint, is a common condition especially as one ages. Dr. Satish Kale, a Robotic Joint Replacement Specialist at Lokmanya Hospital, Pune, explains that the knee joint is made up of the thigh bone, shin bone, and kneecap. Between these bones lies the meniscus (a cushion-like structure) and cartilage covering the bone surfaces.

These structures allow pain-free movement in daily life. However, due to aging, sports injuries, or damage to the cushion and cartilage, this smooth functioning is disrupted, leading to osteoarthritis.

Stages of Knee Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is generally classified into four stages:

• Grade I & II: Small pits appear on the cartilage and torn meniscus fibers mix into the joint space.
• Grade III & IV: The cushion is completely worn out, cartilage is damaged, and bones start grinding against each other.

At advanced stages, patients experience severe pain, limp while walking, and their normal routine gets heavily disturbed.

Limitations of Non-Surgical Treatments

For early-stage arthritis, medications, physiotherapy, and injections like steroids or lubricants may help. However, for Grade III and IV cases, these treatments often do not provide lasting relief.

What is Knee Replacement Surgery?

Dr. Kale explains that in such advanced cases, joint replacement surgery becomes the most effective solution. The damaged cartilage and cushion are replaced with artificial components. This process is known as joint replacement or arthroplasty.

Traditional vs Robotic Knee Replacement

In conventional methods, large portions of the bone were manually removed and implants were placed based on the surgeon's judgment. This often resulted in more extensive bone removal and blood loss.

Robotic knee replacement, on the other hand, uses advanced robotic arms, sensors, and cameras to make precise measurements—up to 0.5 mm accuracy. This allows only the necessary amount of bone and cartilage to be removed, reducing trauma and blood loss.

Advantages of Robotic Surgery

• Minimal Invasion: Smaller cuts and lesser blood loss
• High Precision: Implant positioning is done with extreme accuracy
• Faster Recovery: Patients start walking the next day, climb stairs by Day 2, and return home by Day 4
• Better Outcomes: The implant closely mimics the natural anatomy

According to Dr. Kale, although perfection is only possible by nature, robotic surgery gets as close as possible to the original joint structure.

Lokmanya Hospital's Robotic Expertise

Lokmanya Hospital has been performing robotic knee replacements since 2016. Over the years, numerous patients have benefited from this advanced technology. Dr. Kale and his team ensure personalized care and encourage patients to share their queries for proper guidance.

FAQs

1.What is robotic knee replacement?
Robotic knee replacement involves using robotic arms and sensors to precisely perform joint replacement surgery.
2. When is robotic knee replacement needed?
It is recommended for patients in advanced stages (Grade III & IV) of knee osteoarthritis where other treatments fail.
3. How is it different from traditional surgery?
Robotic surgery allows for greater accuracy, minimal bone removal, and quicker recovery compared to traditional methods.
4. Is the recovery faster with robotic surgery?
Yes. Most patients start walking the next day and return home by Day 4 after surgery.
5. Is robotic surgery safe?
Yes, it is a highly precise and safe method with minimal complications when performed by experienced surgeons.
6. Are all patients suitable for robotic knee replacement?
Suitability is determined by the surgeon after evaluating the severity and medical condition of the patient.
7. Where can I get robotic knee replacement in Pune?
Lokmanya Hospital, Pune, led by Dr. Satish Kale, has been offering robotic knee replacement since 2016.