Knee arthritis can cause persistent pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty walking or completing everyday activities. When nonsurgical treatments no longer provide sufficient relief, partial or total knee replacement may be considered to restore function and improve mobility.
Dr. Brian Cohen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, over 30,000 orthopedic surgical procedures performed, and more than 100,000 patient evaluations. He uses MAKO robotic arm-assisted technology to support personalized surgical planning and precise implant positioning while maintaining complete control throughout the procedure.
Who Is a Candidate for Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement?
Many patients with knee arthritis can manage their symptoms through activity modification, medication, injections, physical therapy, weight management, or assistive devices. Surgery may be considered when pain and stiffness continue to interfere with walking, work, sleep, or daily activities despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment.
A patient may be considered for robotic-assisted knee replacement when imaging confirms significant joint damage and the symptoms correspond with the affected areas of the knee. Dr. Cohen also evaluates knee alignment, ligament stability, range of motion, medical history, activity goals, and overall health before recommending surgery.
Depending on the location and extent of the arthritis, treatment may involve partial knee replacement, total knee replacement, or revision total knee replacement.
Knee Arthroplasty
Arthroplasty is the surgical repair or replacement of a damaged joint. During knee replacement, the worn or damaged bone and cartilage are removed from the affected joint surfaces and replaced with metal and medical-grade plastic components.
The goal of knee arthroplasty is to reduce pain, improve stability, and restore function. Depending on the location and severity of the joint damage, Dr. Cohen may recommend:
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Partial knee replacement
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Total knee replacement
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Revision total knee replacement
Potential Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Knee Surgery
MAKO SmartRobotics™ supports Dr. Cohen during knee replacement surgery but does not perform the operation independently. Dr. Cohen controls the robotic arm and makes all surgical decisions throughout the procedure.
Potential benefits of robotic-arm-assisted knee replacement include:
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Patient-specific surgical planning
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Precise bone preparation
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Greater control over implant positioning
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Real-time evaluation of knee alignment
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Assessment of ligament and soft-tissue balance
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Defined surgical boundaries
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Preservation of healthy bone when appropriate
Recovery and long-term results vary according to the procedure performed, severity of arthritis, overall health, rehabilitation, and individual healing.
Personalized Surgical Planning
Before surgery, a CT scan is used to create a three-dimensional model of the knee. Dr. Cohen combines this model with the physical examination, medical history, and other imaging findings to develop an individualized surgical plan.
The plan helps Dr. Cohen evaluate:
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Bone structure
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Location and severity of arthritis
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Joint alignment
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Implant size and position
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Surrounding bone and soft tissues
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Areas of healthy bone that may be preserved
During surgery, Dr. Cohen can assess knee motion and ligament balance and make adjustments when necessary.
MAKO AccuStop™ Technology
During knee replacement surgery, MAKO AccuStop™ technology provides Dr. Cohen with a virtual boundary based on the patient-specific surgical plan. As Dr. Cohen controls the robotic arm, the system provides tactile resistance near the planned boundaries.
This guidance helps Dr. Cohen prepare the bone according to the surgical plan and limit removal to the areas required for the selected implant. The amount of bone and cartilage removed depends on whether the patient is undergoing partial, total, or revision knee replacement.
Arthritis Knee Surgery
Robotic-Assisted Partial Knee Replacement
The knee has three compartments: the medial compartment on the inner side, the lateral compartment on the outer side, and the patellofemoral compartment between the kneecap and thighbone.
Partial knee replacement may be considered when arthritis is limited primarily to one portion of the knee and the remaining joint surfaces and supporting ligaments are sufficiently healthy. During surgery, Dr. Cohen removes the damaged bone and cartilage from the affected compartment and replaces them with metal and medical-grade plastic components.
MAKO technology helps Dr. Cohen plan the procedure and establish boundaries for bone preparation. Healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments are preserved whenever appropriate.
Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement may be recommended when arthritis affects multiple compartments and causes persistent pain, stiffness, or loss of function.
During the procedure, Dr. Cohen removes damaged cartilage and a small amount of underlying bone from the ends of the femur and tibia. Metal components are placed over the prepared surfaces, and a medical-grade plastic insert creates a smooth bearing surface between them. The kneecap may also be resurfaced when appropriate.
With MAKO-assisted total knee replacement, Dr. Cohen uses the patient-specific plan and robotic guidance to prepare the bone and position the implant, while maintaining control throughout surgery.
Robotic-Assisted Revision Total Knee Replacement
Revision total knee replacement may be necessary when a previous knee implant becomes loose, worn, unstable, infected, damaged by a fracture, or no longer provides adequate function. Revision procedures are generally more complex than primary knee replacement because existing components may need to be removed and bone loss or soft-tissue damage may need to be addressed.
For selected revision procedures, Dr. Cohen may use CT-based planning and robotic-arm-assisted technology to evaluate the existing implant, remaining bone, alignment, and planned component position. He then uses this information to develop an individualized surgical approach.
The risks, recovery process, and expected outcome depend on the reason for revision and the condition of the knee.
Why Choose Dr. Cohen?
OVER 25+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
One of the first orthopedic surgeons employed by a large hospital. Dr. Cohen spent 20 years.
TRUSTED BY OVER 100,000+ PATIENTS WORLDWIDE
Over his distinguished career, Dr. Cohen has cultivated a reputation of excellence and trust among his patients and his peers.
UTILIZING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
To achieve the best surgical outcomes, Dr. Cohen uses the most advanced technologies and techniques, keeping his practice state-of-the-art.
PATIENT SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY
An individualized, patient-focused process coupled with decades of training and experience helps ensure maximum safety for all of Dr. Cohen’s patients.
Robotic-Assisted Knee Arthritis Care in Chillicothe, OH
Robotic-assisted knee replacement may be considered when arthritis causes persistent pain and functional limitations despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment. Dr. Cohen evaluates the location of the joint damage, knee alignment, ligament stability, overall health, and treatment goals before recommending partial, total, or revision replacement. When appropriate, MAKO technology supports individualized planning and surgical guidance while Dr. Cohen remains in complete control. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Brian Cohen, call (614) 788-0375.
