Patients that are experiencing chronic knee pain that affects quality of life and daily function may be suffering from knee arthritis. Generally speaking, arthritis is a condition in which the cartilage surface that protects and cushions the ends of the bone in the knee joint is damaged and worn thin. This can be from wear and tear (osteoarthritis), trauma, or diseases that cause severe inflammation in the joint (e.g. rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis). If your pain has not decreased with medication, injections, weight loss, and/or acceptable activity changes, you may be a candidate for partial or total knee replacement. Dr. Morrison uses robotic assisted technology to perform partial and total knee replacements in his patients.
How is robotic surgery different from traditional surgery?
The difference is in the planning of the implant position and the execution of the bone preparation. In robotic assisted surgery, Dr. Morrison is able to use computer navigation technology in surgery to accurately size the patient’s bone for the right implants and make micro adjustments to the position of the implants on the bone to “individualize” a patient’s leg alignment and ligament tension throughout the knee’s range of motion. The device used to prepare the bone for the implant is connected to the robotic arm to guide the bone preparation exactly to what Dr. Morrison has planned. In this way, the robot does not perform the surgery, but allows Dr. Morrison to more accurately plan and perform the procedure to that patient’s proper specifications.
If you would like to discuss your knee arthritis pain with Dr. Morrison you may schedule an appointment with him in his Nashville or Brentwood office by calling 615-342-0038.
