Robotic-Assisted or Conventional Knee Replacement: What Is the Difference and Does It Matter?
The VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution has now been formally introduced at The Rivers Hospital and Mr Kosuge started performing robotic-assisted total knee replacements this week. It is a good moment to answer the question he is asked most often, which is a fair one. Is a robotic knee replacement better than a conventional one and is it the right choice for you? It is worth answering plainly, because the marketing around robotics can make the decision sound more dramatic than it is.
What "conventional" knee replacement actually means
A conventional total knee replacement is a very well-established operation with an excellent track record. The worn surfaces of the knee are removed and replaced with metal and plastic components and Mr Kosuge uses precise instruments, measurements and experience to position them. The great majority of these replacements perform well for many years. When people worry that "conventional" means old-fashioned, that is not the case. It remains the operation that the long-term registry data is built on.
What the robot adds
Robotic assistance does not replace the surgeon. Mr Kosuge remains in control of the operation throughout. What the system adds is a detailed plan and real-time feedback. Before and during surgery, it builds a picture of your individual knee. It then helps position the implant and balance the soft tissues to Mr Kosuge’s plan with a high degree of accuracy. In published work the VELYS system has been shown to place components within a few degrees of the intended alignment very consistently.
Does more precision mean a better result for you?
This is the honest part. Better alignment and balance are sensible goals and early studies have reported benefits such as improved mobility and shorter hospital stays. What has not yet been proven is that a robotic knee lasts longer than a well-performed conventional one over fifteen or twenty years, because that evidence will take longer to gather. So the fair summary is that robotic assistance is a genuine advance in accuracy and consistency, rather than a guarantee of a different outcome for every patient.
Who benefits most
Robotic assistance can be particularly useful where the anatomy is more challenging or where fine soft-tissue balancing matters. For many patients either approach in experienced hands will give an excellent result. The most important factor remains the surgeon and the whole team around the operation, not the tool alone.
Discussing your options
Mr Kosuge offers both conventional and VELYS robotic-assisted total knee replacement at The Rivers Hospital and will talk through which is more appropriate for your knee at consultation. You can review his published outcome data:
To book an appointment with Mr Kosuge at The Rivers Hospital:
Telephone: 01279 602675