Both robotic-assisted and conventional knee replacement remove the arthritic surfaces of the knee and replace them with an implant. The difference lies in how the bone cuts are planned and executed — and how precisely the implant is matched to your individual anatomy.
In conventional knee replacement, the surgeon uses mechanical jigs and alignment rods, guided by experience and intra-operative judgement. In MAKO robotic-assisted replacement, a CT scan taken before surgery builds a three-dimensional model of your knee. The plan is rehearsed on that model, and the robotic arm then holds the surgeon within the planned boundaries while the cuts are made.
It is important to be clear about what the robot does and does not do. The robot does not perform the operation. It does not make decisions. The surgeon plans the procedure, performs it, and remains responsible for every judgement made in theatre. The robotic arm is an instrument that improves the consistency with which that plan is delivered.
Robotic-assisted vs Conventional
- ✓CT-based 3D plan before surgery
- ✓Robotic arm constrains bone cuts to plan
- ✓Soft-tissue balance measured through range
- ✓Plan adjustable during surgery
- ✓Bone resection limited to plan
- →Alignment rods and mechanical jigs
- →Cuts guided by surgeon judgement
- →Balance assessed by feel and trial
- →Long clinical track record
- →No pre-operative CT required
Practice across two health systems
Dr. Chetan M. Dojode has operated in both the United Kingdom and India. His UK joint replacement practice is recorded on the National Joint Registry (NJR) — the world’s largest independent registry of joint replacement outcomes, which tracks implant survival and revision rates for every procedure submitted. That same registry-audited discipline — implant selection, alignment targets and structured follow-up — is applied to every joint replacement he performs in Bengaluru.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is robotic knee replacement better than conventional knee replacement?
Robotic assistance improves the accuracy of implant positioning and soft-tissue balancing compared with conventional instrumentation. Whether that accuracy translates into a better outcome for an individual patient depends on their anatomy, deformity and soft-tissue condition. Conventional knee replacement remains a reliable, well-proven operation with decades of registry data behind it. Dr. Chetan M. Dojode discusses both approaches at consultation and recommends the one better suited to your knee.
Does robotic surgery mean a robot operates on me?
No. The surgeon plans and performs the entire operation. The robotic arm holds the cutting instrument within the boundaries of the plan the surgeon has created, and can be adjusted by the surgeon at any point during surgery. Every clinical decision remains with the surgeon.
Is recovery faster after robotic knee replacement?
Because bone resection is limited to what the plan requires and soft tissues are handled with that plan in mind, many patients experience less early post-operative discomfort. Recovery still depends heavily on pre-operative muscle condition, general health, and commitment to physiotherapy. Both robotic and conventional knee replacement follow a similar rehabilitation pathway.
Does robotic knee replacement cost more in Bangalore?
Robotic-assisted surgery involves a pre-operative CT scan and the use of the robotic system, which adds to the overall cost compared with conventional replacement. The implant, hospital stay, anaesthesia and physiotherapy make up the remainder. A written estimate is provided before surgery so there are no surprises.
Who is not suitable for robotic knee replacement?
Patients with certain retained metalwork, severe bone loss, or active infection may be better served by conventional technique or a staged approach. Suitability is determined after clinical examination and imaging. If robotic assistance would not add benefit in your case, that will be explained clearly.
Dr. Chetan M. Dojode
FRCS (Tr&Orth) UK · FEBOT
GMC Specialist Register
Clinic Locations
OSR — OrthoSportsRobotics Clinic / Aarna Clinic, Sahakar Nagar
1182/1, 20th Main Road, A Block,
Bengaluru 560092