What Is Robotic Knee Replacement? Inside a Real Operation Theatre with Advanced Precision Surgery

What Is Robotic Knee Replacement? – Explained by Dr (Prof) B S Murthy

As explained by Dr (Prof) B S Murthy, robotic knee replacement is an advanced surgical procedure in which only the damaged part of the knee joint, especially the worn-out cartilage cap of the bone, is removed and replaced with a new artificial cap. This approach focuses on precision, personalization, and long-term functional outcomes.

Dr (Prof) B S Murthy explains how robotic knee replacement works inside a real operation theatre, highlighting precision alignment, balance, CT scan planning, and functional knee movement using advanced robotic technology.

Key Principles of Knee Replacement: Alignment and Balance

Dr (Prof) B S Murthy emphasizes that two factors are most important in knee replacement surgery:

• Proper alignment of the knee joint

• Balanced movement on both sides of the knee

Functional Alignment for Real-Life Movements

According to Dr (Prof) B S Murthy, patients in India often sit cross-legged, squat, use Indian toilets, and bend their knees during daily activities and religious practices. During these movements, knee alignment can change.

To address this, Dr (Prof) B S Murthy uses the concept of functional alignment, where robotic knee replacement is customized based on different functional positions of the patient using robots and computer-assisted planning.

Role of CT Scan Data and Digital Surgical Planning

Dr (Prof) B S Murthy explains that detailed CT scan data of the patient is first collected and stored digitally.

• The data is saved in a pen drive and laptop as backup

• Segmentation and surgical planning are performed in advance

• This data is then fed into the robotic system

This allows Dr (Prof) B S Murthy to correlate the CT scan findings with the patient’s real-time anatomy during surgery.

Inside the Operation Theatre: Robotic Precision in Action

Inside the operation theatre, Dr (Prof) B S Murthy uses a robotic arm equipped with a movable cutting burr that performs highly precise bone cuts. The robot does not move beyond the pre-planned boundaries fed by Dr (Prof) B S Murthy, ensuring safety and surgical accuracy.

An infrared camera captures the real-time position of the patient’s exposed bone and sends live information to the surgical console. This console provides Dr (Prof) B S Murthy with an accurate real-time picture of the patient’s knee.

Surgeon's Expertise Remains Central to Robotic Surgery

Dr (Prof) B S Murthy highlights that robotic knee replacement is not autonomous surgery. The surgeon’s brain, experience, and surgical skills play the most crucial role.

During the procedure, Dr (Prof) B S Murthy:

• Matches real-time bone data with CT scan planning

• Adjusts alignment and balance manually

• Uses full control with a stop button for safety

• Makes final surgical decisions based on precision data

Final Surgical Goal: Perfect Balance, Alignment, and Patient Satisfaction

As stated by Dr (Prof) B S Murthy, knee replacement is considered correct only when optimal balance and alignment are achieved. Robotic-assisted knee replacement helps him ensure:

• Precise bone cutting

• Personalized implant positioning

• Functional alignment for daily activities

• Improved mobility and potentially faster recovery

This combination of advanced robotic technology and the surgical expertise of Dr (Prof) B S Murthy aims to deliver safer, more accurate, and patient-specific knee replacement outcomes.

About the Author

This article is based on expert insights by Dr. (Prof.) B S Murthy, Principal Director – Orthopedics & Joint Replacement at Max Hospital Noida.With decades of experience in joint replacement and advanced knee surgery, Dr. Murthy specializes in robotic-assisted knee replacement, complex joint reconstruction, and functional alignment techniques tailored to Indian lifestyle needs.He is known for integrating cutting-edge robotic technology with surgical expertise to achieve precise alignment, better balance, and improved long-term outcomes for patients suffering from knee arthritis and severe joint pain.
Dr. Murthy actively contributes to patient education and public awareness initiatives to help people understand modern orthopedic treatments in simple and practical language.