Why Implant Alignment Matters in Knee Replacement
One of the most common questions patients ask is why robotic knee replacement is worth considering over conventional surgery. The short answer is alignment. The position and orientation of a knee implant — measured in fractions of a millimetre — is one of the single most important factors influencing how natural the knee feels and how long the implant lasts.
Robotic systems such as MAKO use a CT scan to build a 3D model of your knee before surgery. Every cut and every implant position is planned virtually, then guided in real time during the operation. The goal is not novelty for its own sake — it is reproducible precision, matched to your individual anatomy.
That said, technology is a tool, not a substitute for judgement. The decision to replace a joint at all, and the choice of implant, still rests on careful clinical assessment. Robotic assistance simply helps execute a good plan more accurately.
Reviewed by Dr. Chetan M. Dojode, FRCS (Tr & Orth) — 18 June 2026