MAKOplasty is an innovative treatment option for adults living with early- to mid-stage osteoarthritis (OA) in the inner (medial), top (patellofemoral) or outer (lateral) compartments of the knee.

A total knee replacement is not always the best option for patients with early to mid-stage OA in just one to two compartments of the knee. MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing may be the more appropriate solution. During the procedure, the diseased portion of the knee is resurfaced, sparing the patient’s healthy bone and surrounding tissue. An implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again.

As a knee arthroplasty procedure, MAKOplasty is typically covered by most Medicare-approved and private health insurers.

Benefits of MAKOplasty

  • Enables optimal implant positioning to result in a more natural-feeling knee following surgery
  • Smaller incision
  • Minimal hospitalization and can be performed on an outpatient basis
  • Rapid recovery and return to daily activities

Good candidates

Typically, MAKOplasty patients share the following characteristics:

  • Knee pain with activity, usually on the inner knee and/or under the knee cap, or the outer knee
  • Start-up knee pain or stiffness when activities begin from a sitted position
  • Failure to respond to non-surgical treatments or nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medication

If I undergo MAKOplasty, what can I expect?

MAKOplasty can be performed either as an inpatient procedure or on an outpatient basis, depending on what your orthopedic surgeon determines is right for you. Typical hospital stays average from one to three days and ambulatory patients return home the same day. In many cases, patients are permitted to walk soon after surgery, drive a car within two weeks and return to normal daily activities shortly thereafter.

What is the lifespan of a MAKOplasty implant?

All implants have a life expectancy that depends on several factors, including the patient’s weight, activity level, quality of bone stock and compliance with the physician’s orders. Proper implant alignment and precise positioning during surgery are also very important factors that can improve the life expectancy of an implant. Through the use of RIO®, implants can be optimally aligned and positioned to ensure the longest benefit.

In addition, because very little bone is actually removed during a MAKOplasty procedure, the implants can be replaced with another procedure such as a total knee replacement, if necessary.