Common causes include:

Causes/Why It Happens

Common causes include:

• Ageing
• Osteoarthritis (‘wear and tear’ arthritis)
• Previous injury or fracture
• Excess body weight
• Rheumatoid arthritis (joint inflammation)
• Repetitive stress on joints

Symptoms

People may experience:

• Joint pain during walking or climbing stairs
• Stiffness after sitting or resting
• Swelling around the joint
• Difficulty bending the knee or hip
• Reduced movement
• Trouble performing daily activities

Diagnosis and Investigations

Doctors usually diagnose joint arthritis using:

• Physical examination: Knee motion, strength, stability and overall leg alignment
• Imaging tests: X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Blood tests

Treatment Options

Non-surgical treatments

Doctors may first recommend:

• Pain-relief medicines
• Physiotherapy
• Weight reduction
• Exercise
• Knee braces or walking support
• Joint injections

Surgical treatment

If pain becomes severe and affects daily life, joint replacement surgery may be advised.

Robotic joint replacement may help improve:

• Accuracy of implant placement
• Joint alignment
• Recovery experience
• Long-term joint function

Procedure Details

What is the procedure and why is it done?

In robotic joint replacement:

• Damaged cartilage and bone are removed
• Artificial parts made of metal, ceramic, or plastic are placed in the joint
• A robotic system helps the surgeon position the implant more precisely

The procedure aims to:

• Reduce pain
• Improve movement
• Help patients return to normal activities

Before the Procedure

Key instructions

Your doctor may advise:

• Stop certain medicines such as blood thinners
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Inform the doctor about allergies or infections

Preparation guidelines

• Do not eat or drink for several hours before surgery
• Arrange support at home after discharge
• Complete blood tests and scans
• Start simple exercises if advised

Procedure Overview

Step-by-step (simple explanation)

• The patient is given anaesthesia
• The surgeon makes a cut over the joint
• The robotic system helps guide bone preparation
• Damaged bone and cartilage are removed
• Artificial joint parts are placed carefully
• The wound is closed with stitches or staples

Duration of procedure: Usually 1 to 3 hours, depending on the joint and complexity

Risks and Complications

Like all surgeries, robotic joint replacement has some risks, including:

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Bleeding
• Pain or swelling
• Stiffness
• Nerve or blood vessel injury
• Implant loosening over time

Benefits and Expected Outcomes

Benefits

• Better pain relief
• Improved walking and movement
• More accurate implant positioning
• Better joint alignment
• Faster return to daily activities for many patients

During Hospital Stay

What to expect

• Monitoring in the recovery room
• Pain management medicines
• Early walking with support
• Physiotherapy exercises

Hospital stay

Most patients stay 1–3 days in the hospital, whereas some patients may go home earlier depending on recovery.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery timeline

• Walking begins within 1–2 days
• Daily activities improve over 4–6 weeks
• Full recovery may take several months

Activity restrictions

Initially avoid:

• Heavy lifting
• Running or jumping
• Sudden twisting movements

Lifestyle and Prevention

Recommended diet

Eat foods rich in:

• Protein
• Calcium
• Iron
• Drink enough water

Long-term care

• Continue exercises regularly
• Maintain healthy body weight
• Attend follow-up visits

Preventing joint problems

• Stay physically active
• Avoid obesity
• Protect joints from injury

When to Contact a Doctor

Seek medical help if you notice:

• Fever
• Increasing pain or swelling
• Redness or pus from the wound
• Sudden leg swelling

Follow-up schedule

Regular check-ups are usually advised:

• Within a few weeks after surgery
• Then periodically over the years

Myths and Facts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)