Florida Hospital Waterman unveils Mako-assisted surgery

The new knee replacement technology is an innovative treatment option for adults suffering from knee joint pain typically caused by arthritis

TAVARES — Florida Hospital Waterman in Lake County now offers patients Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Replacement. This latest advancement in joint replacement surgery transforms the way total knee replacements are performed.

According to the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, around 7 million Americans are living with a hip or knee replacement, and consequently, in most cases, are mobile, despite advanced arthritis. These numbers underscore the substantial public health impact of total hip and knee arthroplasties.

The new knee replacement technology is an innovative treatment option for adults suffering from knee joint pain typically caused by arthritis. Using the robotic-arm assisted surgery system, surgeons are able to more accurately plan and place implants, potentially reducing variability within the total knee replacement procedure.

“Being the only hospital in the area to offer the latest advancements in joint replacement technology is something that we pride ourselves on,” says Heather Wood, director of surgical services at Florida Hospital Waterman. “The Mako system allows the surgeon to make the proper adjustments during surgery as necessary and guides the surgeon to help provide the most precise placement and alignment of the implant. We are incredibly excited to be able to offer this to our patients.”

A 3D virtual model of a patient's unique anatomy is created based on a CT scan of the patient's own knee and is then used to create a personalized pre-operative plan. The Mako system may not only increase accuracy but may also result in less blood loss, greater sparing of the bone and higher function post-surgery compared to manual total knee replacement.