Full Knee Replacement Options, Robotic Assisted or Conventional, Which did you choose and Why?

[QRTRHRS]

From what I've heard, there's a much smaller scar with the robotics vs manual. My friend told me his wife has only an 1½-2" scar, my sister had hers done maybe 5-6 years ago and has a nasty looking 6" scar.

My scar is about 8" long. It might go two inches below my knee cap which by the way is original but you cannot even see it there. No stitches involved, just steri strips. Although I am not vain, I did use scar cream on it as it healed.

I would suggest installing handicap bars by your toilet and maybe your shower. I did not have them in place plus my toilet was way low even without the surgery. I happened to have one of those portable's with grab bars which I placed over the toilet. As my recovery progressed, I put in a 17" high toilet and some grab bars.

Therapy is important to get that bend back though it will never be as good as original. I have a good facility about ten miles away from me plus I have a home gym in my garage. Therapy should not be "no pain, no gain". Although the "wall crawl" at therapy was not fun. The hospital sent me home with a circulating ice pack. Freeze water in some empty plastic water bottles rather that using ice cubes in the reservoir if you get one.

 

[Mi-Troll]

My scar is about 8" long. It might go two inches below my knee cap which by the way is original but you cannot even see it there. No stitches involved, just steri strips. Although I am not vain, I did use scar cream on it as it healed.
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I would suggest installing handicap bars by your toilet and maybe your shower. I did not have them in place plus my toilet was way low even without the surgery. I happened to have one of those portable's with grab bars which I placed over the toilet. As my recovery progressed, I put in a 17" high toilet and some grab bars.

Therapy is important to get that bend back though it will never be as good as original. I have a good facility about ten miles away from me plus I have a home gym in my garage. Therapy should not be "no pain, no gain". Although the "wall crawl" at therapy was not fun. The hospital sent me home with a circulating ice pack. Freeze water in some empty plastic water bottles rather that using ice cubes in the reservoir if you get one.

I just replaced the toilet with higher one, I did see videos of people that mentioned the added seat placed on top. I will get one of those circulating ice packs, it came highly recommended as well.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Check with your provider before you purchase the ice pack. When I woke up in my hospital bed, there was one on my leg and they sent it home with me. No one had spoke about it prior.

 

[LouNY]

Interesting thread, getting my second one done, scheduled for Jan 12th..
First one was done almost 10 years ago. The Doc never mention using a robic system, I'll have to ask.
My previous one was done the old fashioned way, the scar runs 4-6 inches above my knee and about the same below.

 

[CliffordK]

Thank you. Things seem to be changing rapidly. The videos I'm seeing online seem to indicate an extraordinary amount of precision with the robotic assist. The knee implants may also be shrinking... less foreign material in your body, and if one should fail, more original knee left for a second implant to be installed.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Thought that even though arthroscopy for other than replacement is not the subject, I thought that this article might be interesting to those with meniscus tears.

My knee issues started with a torn menicus/PCL. I had stepped out of my truck on a job site landing on a ridge of dirt created by the duals. As I put weight on my leg, I heard and felt a pop. A nurse friend told me that I would have arthritis in about ten years. I did. That was 2005. I had it replaced in 2022.

 

[Mi-Troll]

Thank you. Things seem to be changing rapidly. The videos I'm seeing online seem to indicate an extraordinary amount of precision with the robotic assist. The knee implants may also be shrinking... less foreign material in your body, and if one should fail, more original knee left for a second implant to be installed.

I just learned that a knee replacement is not permanent, it may only last 10 to 15 years. If that's true, if you're fairly young when it's done, maybe 50, the chances have having another is really good.

 

[Mi-Troll]

I just spoke to my dentist to confirm an upcoming appointment to have my teeth cleaned, I mentioned that I'm going to meet with the surgeon first thing this coming Monday morning for my knee surgery. The last time I spoke to the surgeon, he mentioned that he could arrange the surgery quickly, maybe within two weeks. Based on that info, my dentist said that I should postpone the cleaning appointment. The last meeting with the surgeon, he never mentioned that I can't have my teeth cleaned prior to having surgery and I've not seen or heard that elsewhere either.

I understood why, they don't want bacteria entering your bloodstream prior to a surgery. The dentist went on to say that for those that come to her, post-surgery, must take some type of medication prior to coming to her office, some, for the rest of their lives. I'm sure this is based on an individual person's health condition or for other reasons, so for those that have had the surgery, are you taking meds temporary or are you taking meds permanently.?

 

[old and tired]

When I had my ankle replace earlier this year, I was told I needed antibacterial meds. before going to the dentist... for the rest of my life. Need to confirm that with the dentist...

 

[bigtiller]

When I had my ankle replace earlier this year, I was told I needed antibacterial meds. before going to the dentist... for the rest of my life. Need to confirm that with the dentist...

That's the same with me after knee surgery. I keep about a dozen pills on hand all the time. The knee surgeon and Dentist agree. 8 years now and no problems.

And it is not just the Dentist. Any type of invasive happenstance that might introduce unwanted bacteria needs to be addressed with antibacterial medication before or as soon as possible after.

 

[QRTRHRS]

My wife has to take a single doxycycline prior to a visit to the dentist. For her, it is because of a coclear implant.

I don't have to worry about it.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

Absolutely robotic!!! Many misunderstand what that means. Instead of getting the tape measure and pencil to mark where to cut it's done with precision. Believe me there are still some real "hacks" out there so ask around some before you get it done. Hopefully you can make an informed choice. I had mine done robotically in 2021. It's still done by a surgeon. He's at the controls. I walked out that afternoon, started therapy the next day, and was back to work at 6 weeks. Then 2 weeks after that I retired. My wife had her first one done in January this year by the same surgeon robotically, and the second one in April also robotically. The only difference between hers and mine are hers are "smart" knees. They have chips implanted that report back to the Dr about range of motion and activity. It's not a machine coming into the room and sizing you up. It is just a precision tool to help the Dr do the best job possible for you. Think of it as the difference between using a cutting torch to cut out a part, or using a laser controlled by a computer to do the same job.

 

[Oaktree]

Absolutely robotic!!! Many misunderstand what that means. Instead of getting the tape measure and pencil to mark where to cut it's done with precision. Believe me there are still some real "hacks" out there so ask around some before you get it done. Hopefully you can make an informed choice. I had mine done robotically in 2021. It's still done by a surgeon. He's at the controls. I walked out that afternoon, started therapy the next day, and was back to work at 6 weeks. Then 2 weeks after that I retired. My wife had her first one done in January this year by the same surgeon robotically, and the second one in April also robotically. The only difference between hers and mine are hers are "smart" knees. They have chips implanted that report back to the Dr about range of motion and activity. It's not a machine coming into the room and sizing you up. It is just a precision tool to help the Dr do the best job possible for you. Think of it as the difference between using a cutting torch to cut out a part, or using a laser controlled by a computer to do the same job.

Good to know, I'm leaning in that direction for when it comes time for me to go that route. Think I'll pass on the "smart knees" though. Not big on being tracked.

 

[Mi-Troll]

Good to know, I'm leaning in that direction for when it comes time for me to go that route. Think I'll pass on the "smart knees" though. Not big on being tracked.

I've decided to go with the robotic assisted surgery as well, no way on the smart knee, wonder if I have a say in that. Interesting, now I'm being to see all of the fine print with having knee surgery.

 

[Mi-Troll]

My wife has to take a single doxycycline prior to a visit to the dentist. For her, it is because of a coclear implant.

I don't have to worry about it.

I've had surgery's before, never had to take meds afterwards prior to going to the dentist. It must be specific to implants, maybe one's body never really accepts the implant??

 

[Mi-Troll]

Absolutely robotic!!! Many misunderstand what that means. Instead of getting the tape measure and pencil to mark where to cut it's done with precision. Believe me there are still some real "hacks" out there so ask around some before you get it done. Hopefully you can make an informed choice. I had mine done robotically in 2021. It's still done by a surgeon. He's at the controls. I walked out that afternoon, started therapy the next day, and was back to work at 6 weeks. Then 2 weeks after that I retired. My wife had her first one done in January this year by the same surgeon robotically, and the second one in April also robotically. The only difference between hers and mine are hers are "smart" knees. They have chips implanted that report back to the Dr about range of motion and activity. It's not a machine coming into the room and sizing you up. It is just a precision tool to help the Dr do the best job possible for you. Think of it as the difference between using a cutting torch to cut out a part, or using a laser controlled by a computer to do the same job.

When your wife received the "Smart Knee" did she sign any kind of disclosure document or was it a surprise? Did she have a voice in the decision, what type, if any, disclaimers were there, such as length of monitoring, information collected and insurance coverage long term if required??

 

[etpm]

I've had surgery's before, never had to take meds afterwards prior to going to the dentist. It must be specific to implants, maybe one's body never really accepts the implant??

The antibiotics are because it is very hard to fight bone infections. And implant in the bone makes a path for bacteria. Dental work can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. This bacteria can then find the path from the implant and infect the bone. So prophylactic precautions are taken to prevent infections.
Eric

 

[garry1p]

I had a bone infection in my foot as a diabetic that is not good news., the fix was.

Insert a pic line, be at the hospital everyday at 8am for 6 weeks receiving an antibiotic by IV plus an oral antibiotic.
On the 4th week I had bad reaction from the IV and had to take doxycycline for the next 60 days.

To answer your question. I have had robotic and knife surgery on my spine go robotic.

 

[Oaktree]

When your wife received the "Smart Knee" did she sign any kind of disclosure document or was it a surprise? Did she have a voice in the decision, what type, if any, disclaimers were there, such as length of monitoring, information collected and insurance coverage long term if required??

Also, how is it monitored? If it's via a cellphone aap, she could "conveniently forget" to install it.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

The batteries don't last to long. Less than a year. My wifes aren't reporting any longer. She used to be able look on her smart phone and see her step count and activity but they aren't reporting it any longer. Tried to reset the base unit that they report to but it didn't help. So no worries there. The Dr had said they would last less than a year and they didn't make it that long. Funny though that several others we have talked to that have received replacement knees in the same time frame weren't even offered the option at other locations. Either way don't shy away from the robotic part of it. That only helps the Dr be more precise in what he's doing.

The other thing is therapy. No pain no gain!!! If they don't have you in therapy the next day that is a red flag IMHO. It also goes better at a facility then if they come to your home. I hope you get along fantastic with it. It's going to ache and hurt the first few days. After the 1st couple weeks the worst is over and you will be glad you did it. I don't know your situation but with me it hurt to go up hill and down hill, steps hurt, ladders too. I was using my good leg to avoid using my bad one and was afraid I was going to end up with it ba d too. Dr said it's a candidate for replacement as well but if it doesn't bother me why mess with it? Good luck if you get yours done.