If your non-surgical hip and knee treatment is not effective, surgical intervention maybe your best option to relieve pain and improve your function.  Joint replacement surgery has evolved to become more precise with a faster recover through the use of robotics and a muscle sparing approach. Dr. Mathew has distinguished himself by combining the benefits of a minimally invasive muscle sparing approach with the precision and accuracy of robotic surgery through the use of the Stryker Mako robot.

As one of the regional experts in the area, Dr. Mathew is one of the Greater Houston Area Robotic leaders.  

 

Dr. Mathew is one of the few surgeons that performs knee replacements through a Subvastus (Quadriceps sparing) approach.  Through the traditional approach, the quadriceps muscle is cut and sutured after hardware implantation. This method can provide a continued sources of pain, instability, weakness and limit the recovery. With the minimally invasive muscle sparing approach, the quadricep muscle remains intact and the joint replacement is performed with the assistance of the Mako robot.  Patients have demonstrated a siginificantly faster recovery with less pain and need for pain medication.  This means you can get back to your life faster!

 

When considering a hip replacement, Dr. Mathew can also provide a Direct Anterior (Muscle Sparing) approach.  With the traditional approaches, different muscles are cut and there are limitations placed on patients to allow the muscles to heal in order to prevent hip instability or dislocations.  Traditional approaches can result in muscle healing and precautions lasting un to 3 months or longer.  With the Direct Anterior approach, there are no limitations and the muscles are not cut.  This results in a drastic decrease in pain, improvement in flexibility, and incredibly faster recovery. Dr. Mathew further distinguishes himself with the use of the Bikini Incision for the Direct Anterior Approach.  This incision has demonstrated a decrease in infections and wound complications, along with an improved cosmetic appearance. 

 

The Mako process begins with a CAT (CT) Scan which provides a 3-Dimensional understanding of your joint.  This allows Dr. Mathew to properly size and orient the knee replacement to match your bony anatomy.  Through the procedure, arrays within the joint provide realtime feedback to personalize the plan further to balance the soft tissue adjusting to the nuances of your body. This tailored approach is created before the bone is even cut.  Through this method, bone can be conserved and your joint replacement is made to feel more natural.

 

What are the benefits of a Mako Robotically Assisted Joint Replacement

- Can be used for hip, partial and total knee replacements

- Helps create a personalized and customizable surgical plan with real-time sensory feedback. 

- Conserves bone and decreases trauma

- Help protect soft tissue

- Improves accuracy and precision of implants

- Provides a more natural feel to the knee replacement

- Less blood loss & pain compared to traditional approaches

- Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay

 

What is recovery like?

-With the muscle sparing robotic joint replacements, increasing your activity is crucial to recovery.  You start physical therapy immediately and work on your flexibility and strength immediately. You progress your activities as tolerated and have no restrictions after surgery except for protecting your dressing and allowing your incisions to heal. 

-You are prescribed a multi-modal pain regimen to address any pain and discomfort through different classes of medications.  This greatly improves pain and expedites recovery while reducing the need for the addictive narcotics.

-There is a higher susceptibility of blood clots after any lower extremity surgery.  To protect you during this period, a blood thinner is temporarily prescribed to you.  A sequential compressive device (SCD) is also prescribed to provide additional coverage. 

-Your follow up appointments are typically at the 2 week mark to check your incision, 6 week mark to check your range of motion and flexibility, and 3 month mark to check your function, mechanics and endurance.