India’s healthcare sector is being reshaped by advances in robotic surgery, where the use of cutting-edge technology enables faster recovery and greater surgical precision. One such innovation is robotic-assisted knee microplasty, a tissuepreserving procedure that is emerging as a highly accurate and effective alternative to conventional treatment.
Traditionally, knee arthritis has been viewed as a progressively worsening condition that ultimately requires total knee replacement. Orthopaedic specialists, however, are now challenging this one-sizefits- all approach, especially for patients whose arthritis is confined to a single compartment of the knee.
Unlike total knee replacement, which resurfaces the entire joint, microplasty addresses only the damaged area. This makes it especially suitable for patients in the early to intermediate stages of arthritis, where much of the knee structure remains healthy and functional.
Derived from the terms “micro” (minimal) and “plasty” (replacement), microplasty prioritises maximum preservation of the patient’s natural knee. When carried out using the advanced Mako robotic platform, the procedure is known as MAKOplasty.
One of the key benefits of microplasty is ligament preservation. Unlike total knee replacement, which often involves removing important stabilising ligaments such as the ACL, microplasty retains these structures, allowing the knee to function more naturally.
Although less invasive, the procedure demands extreme precision, with implants needing sub-millimetre accuracy. Robotic assistance has greatly improved this accuracy. Using a preoperative CT scan, surgeons create a detailed 3D model of the knee to precisely plan implant size, position, and alignment.
During surgery, a robotic arm provides real-time feedback, ensuring only damaged bone is removed while healthy tissue is protected.
