ROBOTIC KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY MELBOURNE

Robot-Assisted Knee Surgery – A patient’s guide

Dr Arash Riazi – MBBS, BSc (Med), FRACS (Ortho), F.A.Orth.A.
Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Benefits & limitations of robotic knee replacement surgery

“This guide explains robot-assisted knee replacement surgery, who it’s for, what to expect, possible risks, and recovery tips to help achieve the best results from your surgery.

If you have any questions about robotic knee replacement surgery, please contact my offices.”
– Dr Arash Riazi – Orthopaedic Surgeon.

If you have any questions please call
(03) 9898 4216

New patients welcome.
Please bring a referral from – GP or Specialist.

What is robot-assisted knee replacement surgery?

Robotic-assisted technology allows orthopaedic surgeons to perform total or partial knee replacements with greater precision and personalisation than ever before.

Using a pre-operative scan, a 3-D model of your knee is created. This digital model is used to plan the exact placement, size, and alignment of your knee implant, and to balance the surrounding ligaments before surgery begins.

The plan is then uploaded to the robotic-arm system, which guides your surgeon with millimetre accuracy during surgery.

Dr Riazi retains full control of the procedure at all times — the robotic system simply provides enhanced precision, consistency, and safety.

robot knee replacement system

Who is a Good Candidate for Robot Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery?

Typical candidates for a robotic-assisted knee replacement include patients who experience:

  • Pain while standing or walking short distances

  • Swelling or stiffness in the knee

  • Night pain that disturbs sleep

  • Limited response to non-surgical treatments such as rest, weight loss, physiotherapy, or anti-inflammatory medication.

Dr Riazi will first try non-surgical treatments such as medication, physiotherapy or injections to relieve pain and inflammation.

If these are no longer effective, a total knee replacement may be recommended to provide long-term pain relief and  improve mobility.

Robot knee replacement consult

Assesment process – Suitability for robot-assisted surgery

Your suitability for surgery is determined through:

  • A comprehensive medical history and symptom review

  • A physical examination to assess motion, ligament stability, and knee alignment

  • Weight-bearing X-rays and Templating scans to measure the extent of arthritis, deformity or injury to the knee.

About the robotic knee replacement system

The robotic knee replacement system can used for:

Partial knee replacement – for osteoarthritis affecting one side of the knee (medial, lateral, or patellofemoral compartments)

Total knee replacement – when the entire joint requires replacement.

Through a small 10-15 cm incision, only the diseased bone and cartilage are removed, leaving healthy tissue untouched. The robotic system allows for 3-D modelling and templating enabling Dr Riazi to ensure your implant is:

  • Correctly sized

  • Precisely positioned

  • Optimally oriented to restore knee balance and leg alignment

During surgery, Dr Riazi can also adjust and fine-tune the implant position in real time for optimal ligament balance.

Benefits of Robotic Surgery

The aim of robotic-assisted surgery is to improve surgical precision, component alignment, and soft-tissue balance — all of which are critical for the long-term success of your knee replacement.

Potential advantages include:

  • More accurate implant positioning

  • Improved soft-tissue balance

  • Smoother knee motion

  • Smaller incision and less tissue trauma

  • Reduced postoperative pain and swelling

  • Faster rehabilitation and return to daily activities

  • Shorter hospital stay

  • High patient satisfaction

The Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) has reported encouraging early results for robotic-assisted partial knee replacement procedures.

Robotic vs Non-Robotic Knee Replacement

A well-performed traditional (non-robotic) knee replacement can still provide excellent results.

Robotic technology provides additional data-driven accuracy and consistency, which may enhance alignment and implant longevity, especially in complex or anatomically variable cases.

Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery Melbourne

Dr Arash Riazi – Orthopaedic Surgeon

If you have any questions about Knee Replacement Surgery please contact my offices:

CONTACT DR RIAZI

What happens during knee replacement surgery?

1. Your Personalised Plan – A long leg standing X-ray scan is used to generate a detailed 3-D model of your knee.
This enables Dr Riazi to map the exact areas of damage and create a customised surgical plan, uploaded into the robotic system.

Knee analysis
3d model of knee

2. Your Precision Surgery – In theatre, Dr Riazi uses the robotic-arm technology to execute the plan with unparalleled accuracy.
Adjustments can be made during surgery to perfect implant placement and ligament balance.

The operation typically takes about one hour, and most patients stay in hospital 1–3 days.

TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

Preparing for knee replacement surgery

Please ensure to let Dr Riazi know about any medical conditions you may have. You will be referred by Dr Riazi to a Perioperative Physician, who will assess your overall health and fitness to undertake surgery and anaesthesia. You may need to have some pre-operative tests such as blood tests, an echo-cardiogram and/or a chest x-ray.

1. Your Medications and Surgery – It is very important that Dr Riazi knows about all the medicines you are taking before your surgery. This includes:

All over the counter and prescription medicines

  • Over-the-counter medicines (such as pain relief or cold tablets)

  • Herbal or natural supplements

  • Vitamins

  • Weight loss medications (such as Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Saxenda®, Mounjaro® and others)

Please bring a written list of all your medications (or bring the boxes/bottles) to your consultation, and when you come into hospital for your surgery. This helps ensure your operation and treatment is safe and well-planned.

Some medications can affect how your body responds to surgery or anaesthetic. For example:

  • Blood-thinning medicines (such as aspirin, warfarin, or some anti-inflammatory tablets) can increase the risk of bleeding and may need to be stopped several days before your operation.

  • Weight loss medications such as Ozempic® (semaglutide) and similar drugs can slow down stomach emptying and may increase the risk of nausea or vomiting during anaesthesia. You may be advised to stop these at least one to two weeks before surgery — please check with Dr Riazi or your anaesthetist.

  • Corticosteroids and insulin may need to be adjusted before and after surgery to help with healing and blood sugar control.

  • Herbal supplements (such as ginkgo, garlic, or ginseng) can also thin your blood or interfere with anaesthetic medicines.

Dr Riazi and your anaesthetist will work with you to make a safe plan for managing your medications before and after surgery. Never stop or change your medications on your own, always check first.

2. Smoking – Smoking increases the risk of complications and infection. Quitting before surgery improves healing and overall health. Your GP can help with support.

3. Keeping fit – Being as fit as possible before surgery helps reduce complications and speeds recovery. Gentle options like swimming or hydrotherapy are ideal if mobility is limited.

4. Fasting – Dr Riazi’s team will advise you. Typically, fast from midnight for morning surgery or from 6am for afternoon surgery. Clear fluids are allowed up to 4 hours before surgery.

5. Home preparation – Simple steps at home can help make your recovery safer and easier after surgery.

  • Furniture – Make sure you can easily move throughout your home

  • Trip hazards – Remove any rugs or throws that may cause a fall

  • Special equipment – Shower chair, handrails or raised toilet seat

  • Single floor living space – Walking up and down stairs may be difficult during early recovery

  • Household chores assistance –  Plan ahead for cooking and shopping

  • Freeze some meals – Have food you can prepare quickly and easily  or arrange for someone to bring you meals.

Knee replacement surgery – Potential complications

Dr Arash Riazi – Help centre

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. I will discuss the risks with you before you make the decision to undertake knee replacement surgery.

The list below is not exhaustive, but covers some of the more common complications:

Potential complications may include but not limited to:

  • Bleeding – Some blood loss may occur and rarely requires transfusion.

  • Blood clots (VTE) – Clots can form in the leg or lungs; risk is reduced with medication, compression stockings, and early movement.

  • Infection – Antibiotics are used to reduce risk, with further treatment if needed.

  • Pain – Pain is expected but managed with a combination of medications.

  • Anaesthetic risks – Uncommon and discussed with the anaesthetist before surgery.

  • Knee stiffness – Temporary stiffness is common and usually improves with exercise.

  • Nerve, ligament or vessel injury – Rare and usually temporary.

  • Dislocation – Extremely rare.

  • Leg length difference – The knee may feel slightly longer due to straightening, which is normal.

Post-Operative Recovery & Rehabilitation

Please contact hospital staff or Dr Riazi immediately if:

(1) Your wound become more swollen, red and/or hotter than before
(2) There is any discharge from the wound
(3) There is any new numbness, tingling or discolouration in your foot, which lasts for more than 24 hours.

After your operation

You’ll recover briefly before moving to the ward, where nursing staff will care for you. Early movement is encouraged to speed recovery and reduce blood clot risk. A physiotherapist will helping you stand and walk—often the same day or next day support you until you’re moving independently.

Post operative wound care instructions

  • Most wounds are closed with dissolving stitches, which do not need to be removed.

  • The dressing applied in the operating room is the most sterile, so it is important to keep it on for 10–14 days. Please do not remove or change the dressing yourself.

  • Some wounds are covered with surgical glue, which helps reduce wound ooze.

  • Contact our rooms or the hospital ward if the dressing becomes soaked or if you notice any unusual bleeding or oozing.

Rehabilitation – Exercises and walking

Rehabilitation, led by your physiotherapist, focuses on:

  • Regaining range of motion

  • Strengthening muscles

  • Reducing stiffness and swelling

  • Gradual return to normal activity

.
Full recovery may take several months, and consistent exercise is key to long-term success.

IMPORTANT NOTE
This information is designed to be a guide only. Every patient has unique needs and will react differently to surgery, pain management and recovery approaches.

If you would like more details or have any worries or questions about knee replacement surgery please contact my offices so I may address your concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most patients are driving within two to four weeks, depending on individual progress.

Please consult with Dr Riazi to confirm your individual circumstances.

The lifespan of a knee implant depends on several factors, including:

  • Weight and activity level
  • Bone quality
  • Implant alignment and positioning
  • Compliance with post-operative guidance.

Because robotic surgical technology removes minimal bone and allows optimal implant positioning, the procedure may improve implant longevity.

Robot-assisted Knee Replacement Surgery Melbourne

Dr Arash Riazi – Orthopaedic Surgeon

If you have any questions about Knee Replacement Surgery please contact my offices:

CONTACT DR RIAZI

Dr Arash Riazi is a proud member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

ROBOTIC KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY MELBOURNE

Dr Riazi consults with public and private orthopaedic patients from all over Melbourne. Public patients – Epworth Eastern Hospital – 12th Floor – Suite 12.4, 1 Arnold Street, Box Hill, VIC 3128. Public patients – Box Hill Hospital, 8 Arnold Street, Box Hill, VIC 3128. He also has a private consulting location at Adeney Private Hospital, 209 Cotham Road, Kew Vic 3101.

HOME

ABOUT

SERVICES

APPOINTMENTS

CONTACT