Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part in technological advancement in healthcare. AI significantly impacts many areas of the healthcare ecosystem, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment. Orthopedics, among all branches of medical specialties, is an area where surgeons have an array of new tools and assistants in the form of robots. Even though research is still around the success rate and superiority of robotic replacement surgery, the tech adoption has been very swift and global. Very soon, we will see exponential growth in robotic-assisted replacement surgeries that will outnumber manual knee replacement surgeries in a very short time. Patient concerns are mainly related to the procedure, recovery time, safety, costs, etc. 

What is Joint Replacement?

Joint replacement is a specialized procedure where artificial joints are implanted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. It has been used as a solution for joint damage, especially in older people with osteoporosis and those who are injured frequently. This surgery is also effective in treating people with arthritis or arthritis associated with other joint diseases like polytraumatic arthritis or psoriasis. Some of the most common joints that are replaced include the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Joint replacement can be used to treat pain and restore function after a joint has been severely injured or due to a chronic joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Artificial joints can be made from various materials, including metal alloys, plastic, and bio-implants like ceramic and polyethylene. This article will discuss the future of joint replacement and AI, why it’s important, and what can be done to improve it?

Impact of AI in Joint Replacement Surgery

In joint replacement surgeries, robots typically assist with pre-surgery planning, intraoperative execution, monitoring and assessing complications, and any short-term or long-term outcomes. Robotic assistance in such surgeries can expand to using the computer vision model, sensors application, and feedback and loop execution, all of which will greatly help the surgeon for technical precision. 

Robotics with imaging is frequently used for 3D reconstruction, comparison of bone registration and ligament evaluation, performing bone resection, and collecting feedback. This leads to fewer mistakes and less damage to the soft tissues of the knee, as well as betters the implant alignment and corrects any flexion-extension gap and gap asymmetry. The fact that it predicts patient outcomes is an exciting prospect for both the patient and the surgeon. It promotes efficiency and faster healing times, improves precision and accuracy, personalizes patient care, and results in fewer complications. AI helps in surgical decision-making and eliminating risk factors and human-driven errors.

How can AI improve Joint Replacement?

AI can use genetic data to help select the best type of joint replacement for each patient. This would help reduce the number of patients who receive incorrect treatment, helping to improve the overall quality of care. AI can also be used to help doctors identify when a patient is at risk of developing a dangerous complication. This could include monitoring the health of a patient’s joint to identify any potential problem, like excessive wear on the joint.

The Future of Joint Replacement and AI

There is a constant effort to improvise the technology, learn from mistakes, and adapt to ensure that AI tools support surgeons with precision in their medical decisions and reduce human error. We are looking at a future with next-generation robots with advanced machine-learning algorithms capable of performing replacement surgeries with minimal human intervention. The impact of AI on the targeted segment will be huge as well. One area that can benefit from AI is joint replacement. 

Conclusion

Artificial joints/ Implants have been used for a long time now. The future of joint replacement, however, could be very interesting. AI could significantly improve the treatment of joint damage by automating a larger part of the process. This would allow doctors to spend more time on actual diagnosis and treatment, leaving less time wasted on administrative tasks. Patients who undergo joint replacement would be able to receive an AI-integrated treatment, like a virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR) treatment. AI could also be used to help select the right type of joint replacement for a patient based on their genetic profile. Researchers are focusing on newer technology for designing implants for  joint replacement with advanced and more biocompatible  material. The results of these studies can be helpful for the future of joint replacement.

Introduction

Joint replacement is the most preferred solution for the chronic joint pain accompanying arthritis and other degenerative joint conditions. But, as with any artificial joint, it comes with its challenges. In such a scenario, physiotherapy plays a significant role in the pre-operative and post-operative procedures in rehabilitating the muscle and the joints.

How is Physiotherapy Used Before Joint Replacement?

Physiotherapy can help you prepare for joint replacement surgery. Before a joint replacement, your doctor may recommend a program of joint exercises and physiotherapy to help you prepare your body for the change, including demonstrating what exercises should be done and how to properly execute them to reduce pain and any risk of injury. It is critical to focus on strengthening the muscles around the joint that is to be replaced. What that does is improve the chances of optimal recovery from surgery. An important thing to remember is that joint replacement surgery is not a way to cure arthritis; it is a way to relieve pain.

How is Physiotherapy Used After Joint Replacement?

In a joint replacement surgery, your doctor will remove all or part of your diseased joint and replace it with an artificial component. The material of artificial components is metal or plastic. These metal and plastic parts help your joint move freely or bend, making it more stable. You may need this surgery if your joints become worn out from overuse or if you suffer from a serious injury that damages your joints. After joint replacement, you’ll need to take it easy for a while to allow your body to heal. This means you’ll probably need to reduce the amount of activity you do physically. That, in turn, means you’ll need to turn to physiotherapy.

The post-surgery focus should primarily be on recovering the full range of motion and regaining full strength in the muscles around the knee. Physiotherapy at this point will include active exercises and stretches to improve the range of motion and gain muscle strength. The idea is to demonstrate and supervise strengthening programs to maximize recovery and administer modalities and manual therapy to minimize pain and swelling after the surgery.

The prognosis for recovery after Joint Replacement

Joint replacement is an effective way to relieve pain caused by arthritic conditions & trauma. Joint replacement also has the advantage of being a long term solution. The long-term prognosis for recovery after joint replacement is favorable, although the recovery process varies from person to person. For this reason, following your doctor’s post-surgery recovery plan is important.

Conclusion

As you can see, joint replacement aided with physiotherapy before and after the process has many benefits to offer. Physiotherapy can provide the physical therapy you need to recover from joint replacement surgery. Physical therapy can also help improve and restore movement after joint replacement surgery and prevent or manage some complications, if any. Physiotherapy can help manage chronic pain and swelling, help you get back to a normal lifestyle, and help you maintain or improve your quality of life. Physiotherapy also helps improve bone health, strength, and blood circulation, treat any accompanying pain and swelling, build strength in and around the joint, and aid in faster recovery. To recover as quickly and pain-free as possible after joint replacement surgery, following your doctor’s post-surgery recovery plan is essential.

You might feel that your life has changed after arthritis, but the advent of robotic knee replacement surgery and new treatment methods are working wonders to improve the lives of those suffering from osteoarthritis. A knee replacement surgery adheres to traditional methods, but the assistance of a robotic arm helps in reducing recovery time. Read on for greater insight.

If you suffer from severe knee pain and feel that your life, independence, and confidence have suffered a significant setback as no other therapy is helping to reduce pain, it is time to go for robotic knee replacement surgery. Your knee follows simple body mechanics and is an exceedingly hardworking joint. When you walk, you use the knee, couch, stand, and sit. Your knee works with a system of bone, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, and nerves. All it takes to upset the balance is an injury at any stage of your life or arthritis or other causes that damage the area. In such a condition, when your knee fails to perform, a knee replacement surgery is the only way to enjoy a better life.

How successful is knee replacement surgery?

Expert surgeons in India claim that knee replacement can have a 95% success rate. Patients experience pain relief after surgery, which remains for the next 15-20 years. Patients, too, must follow post-operative care suggested by the physicians. A combination of the correct lifestyle with the proper operative procedure will increase the lifetime of the implant to even 30 years.

However, with the advantage of Robotic Knee Surgery, the success rate is almost 100%. The recovery rate is also higher, and the effects of the surgery last longer than traditional surgery. Nonetheless, before undergoing robotic surgery, doctors advise many lifestyle modifications. The original mechanics of the knee are, without a doubt, irreplaceable. Therefore, losing weight through exercising, physical therapy, intra-articular shots, and knee braces are recommended. Suppose none of these impact the patient’s knee; robotic knee surgery or a knee replacement surgery is the only way out. The surgery is not just confined to those in the higher age group. Still, those below 60 suffering from knee injuries or other knee irregularities can seek surgery as a better option to alleviate their pain.

How is a Robotic Knee Surgery done?

The operative procedure, using robotic technology, is connected to hardware calibrated with a handpiece. Surgeons perform surgery through minimally invasive means. This mode of surgery limits blood loss to a minimum. The active robotic sensors map the replacement location and proceed with autonomous resection with utmost precision. The machine alerts the surgeon of movement and guides them to replace the prosthetics at the exact location. The procedure leaves nothing to chance, and the degree of accuracy is 100%.

What post-operative care must you follow?

After the operation, patients are encouraged to move their foot and ankle, increasing the blood flow in the area and the muscles, preventing swelling or blood clots. The patient will be directed to perform breathing exercises, and a physical therapist will instruct the patient to include some activities in their lifestyle. If followed by patients, the care instructions will help them recover faster and reap the benefits of a healthy operated knee.

What are the benefits of robotic Knee Replacement Surgery?

Before undergoing robotic knee replacement surgery, one must understand that the surgeons introduce prosthetics in the knee area. Each human knee is shaped differently; the surgeon removes the cartilage and installs prosthetics of the right size in place. The shape is mapped in a 3D image, and the size is maintained to the nearest millimeter. The replacement procedure ensures greater accuracy, less post-operative pain, and better longevity with the exact specifications and size.

Faster Recovery

The recovery rate is faster than any other surgical procedure. Pain is reduced to a minimum of 2 weeks post-surgery. The chances of infections are minimized with recovery time reduced to half of the traditional surgery, allowing patients to return to their everyday lives faster.

Remember that your orthopaedic surgeon controls the surgery throughout the operation procedure, and robots are just additional assistant tools. The surgery procedure is enhanced with the collaboration of robots delivering many successful outcomes. After recovering, you can engage in various tasks, from generally walking to swimming and biking; sports like golf is advocated. However, high-impact activities that include running or jogging, running sports should be limited, and you must always stay in touch with your doctor.

A drop in the temperature can mean an increase in the intensity of knee pain for people suffering from injuries or arthritis. People experience stiffness in joints more than usual during winters. This happens for several reasons, the cold makes muscles feel tight and lead to less flexibility in the joints. This often affects one’s daily routine adding to the physical discomfort. Fortunately, there are ways to prepare for these circumstances and also avoid knee pain altogether. However, it is important to first understand how and why the changes in the weather cause knee pain.

How changes in the weather affect knee pain

1. Atmospheric pressure changes

Changes in the atmospheric pressure affect the natural gases and fluids in the body, causing the spaces between knee joints to expand with air pressure changes in the environment. That results in pressure on the nerves which then causes inflammation and pain in the joints.

• Levels of humidity

A significant drop in temperatures causes complex cellular network damage that is a fundamental component of cartilage and bone. This leads to aggravated pain.

• Risk of injury

During winters, the risk of aggravated inflammation and pain due to potential injuries is increased. Cold temperatures are also likely to pose stress on the muscles, especially around the knees, which can prolong your healing process.

• Increased nerve sensitivity

Nerves around the knees become hypersensitive due to a drop in temperature causing mild to moderate pain and inflammation in the joints. This aggravates the formation of scars, abrasions, etc if knee injury occurs.

• Joint fluid viscosity

A drop in temperature causes enhanced viscosity of a joint fluid. A drop in the temperature increases the thickness of joint fluid which behaves like a shock absorber and prevents friction. This leads to stiffness and pain in the knee joints.

• Decreased physical activity

Colder seasons bring changes in lifestyle habits and prevent physical activity. A prolonged inactive lifestyle can result in chronic damage in the knee joints.

• Traumatic Knee

Colder weather also tends to decrease the muscle’s reaction time, around the joints involved in knee movements during running. This causes runner’s knee, a condition involving dull pain that occurs mostly during exercise like running, jogging, etc. This weather change increases the risk of damage in the cartilage around the knee cap, causing sore joints.

• Jumper’s Knee

This is the condition in which there is an injury to the patellar tendon, which connects the knee cap to the shin bone. Jumper’s knee is characterized by inflammation and pain radiating from the back portion of the knee cap. This pain can be aggravated by jumping, using stairs, or kneeling, as cold temperatures reduce blood flow may render increased stiffness of tendons.

Fortunately, you can prepare for the winter season and manage the knee pain effectively, thus even preventing the pain.

Things you can do to manage knee pain during winters

• Keep physical activity consistent

It’s essential to keep your body active, even in the winter months. While you shouldn’t work through significant joint pain without the assistance of a medical professional, stiff or achy joints shouldn’t mean canceling your gym membership.

It is very important to keep your body moving and active in the winter. While it is cozy and warm during the winter, and you feel less motivated to work out or go out altogether, it is essential to maintain your physical activity for your body to remain healthy. Try simple activities like brisk walking, yoga, or indoor swimming so that your joints keep moving.

• Avoid cold baths, and prepare for knee swelling

A drop in the temperature means swelling of joints and muscles. Using special knee compresses or bands can help with knee swelling. Avoid bathing in cold water as low temperatures lead to higher chances of experiencing joint pain. Using warm water for baths minimizes joint pain and helps relieve stiffness in the joints. Warm baths are also commonly soothing for everyone, and can specifically soothe knee pain for people suffering from arthritis.

• Make sure your posture is good

A major reason for increased joint pain is bad posture. Slouching, constant sitting for long hours, heavy lifting, etc lead to joint pain. Practice maintaining an upright posture during daily chores, and other physical activities to prevent aggravated joint pain during winter.

• Stay warm

This may seem like basic advice, but more often than not it is the basics that help you prepare for uncomfortable circumstances as such. Taking care of your joints, especially your knees during winter is essential. Wear sufficient warm clothing while going outside, so that your body is warm against the harsh winter. Adjust your indoor temperatures wherever possible, for example in your home or your car. The body is prone to cold while you are sleeping, hence the use of blankets, heated pillows, or even electric blankets if needed can prove to be quite beneficial in the long run.

While these are preventive measures, they are not going to eliminate your knee pain. If your knee pain is persistent even after these measures you must consult a physical therapist or your doctor to find out the underlying problem and an appropriate solution.

Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure done to reverse knee damage, to relieve pain and disability caused by conditions such as arthritis. For people suffering from severe knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other similar ailment, knee replacement surgery may be able to offer relief. Whether you need to undergo a surgical procedure or not is a decision that you and your doctor will collectively take.

The procedure for knee replacement involves cutting away the damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with an artificial joint made of metal or plastic polymer.

The treatment methods for arthritis and other conditions as such are advancing day by day and providing better and more optimal long-term relief. This is where the futuristic robotic knee replacement surgery comes in. A lot of people have queries about the procedure and its after-effects. Here are 5 important things you should know about Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery.

• A robot does not perform the surgery

The robotic technology’s state-of-the-art 3D software lets your surgeon design and plan the surgery much in advance, making necessary adjustments in real-time to provide a more precise alignment of the implant as compared to conventional non-robotic partial knee replacement.

While up to 20% of patients are not happy with the outcome following Knee Replacement surgery, the use of a robot as an additional surgical tool helps the surgeon during all stages of the knee replacement surgery and helps in delivering the best possible outcome.

• Improved accuracy

Robotic assistance technology enhances the surgeon’s expertise, preventing accidental surrounding tissue damage aiding in greater precision during surgery. It helps the surgeon to pre-plan bone cuts and implant sizes, unique to your anatomy.

The 3D images of the knee obtained through a CT scan help the surgeon to specialize and prepare for the surgery. These images help the doctor to plan for the optimal type of implant and the accurate placement of the same. Robotic knee replacement surgery acts as a guide, helping your surgeon to follow a laid-out plan much in advance, as compared to traditional knee replacement surgery.

• Faster Recovery

The robotic arm helps with lesser tissue trauma as well as minimal bone and blood loss, as it follows the specified dimensions set before surgery. This helps with faster recovery and lesser post-operative pain. It also allows the implant to be placed with precision, therefore increasing the overall longevity of the new joint. Due to greater accuracy, there are fewer complications and hence a lower chance of revision surgery.

• Candidature varies

If you are a candidate for traditional knee replacement surgery, chances are you are a likely candidate for robotic knee replacement surgery. It is equally important to talk with your doctor to evaluate your surgical and non-surgical options.

Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may or may not recommend surgery. They might also recommend less invasive treatment methods first like anti-inflammatory medications, weight loss through diet or exercise, physical therapy, cortisone shots, and or knee braces. If these are unable to help significantly, knee replacement surgery may help. Robotic knee replacement means more accurate implant positioning, which is a plus for middle-aged patients who can undergo knee replacement surgery and get back to their usual active lifestyle.

Having said that, it is always recommended to discuss all the possible options with your surgeon, irrespective of your age, and then opt for knee replacement surgery is suggested.

• Lesser Risk

With traditional surgery, there is only a 2% chance that serious complications may occur. Robotic knee replacement surgery comes with the same risks as traditional knee replacement surgery, namely:

• Infections

• Nerve damage

• Allergic reactions to the materials used in the artificial joints

• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)

Although robotic knee replacement procedures require a smaller incision and potentially can be performed with greater accuracy, doctors are hopeful that these risks can be significantly reduced.

Because knee replacement surgeries have been using the traditional approach way longer than the robotic approach, more benefits of robotic joint replacement surgery are yet to be understood and validated with data. Need for more research is essential to determine whether or not robotic-assisted technology is as effective for total knee replacement. Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery is all about optimal execution and implant positioning, which leads to a better and faster recovery. So, make sure you take your doctor’s advice and make an informed decision.