Makoplasty

What is makoplasty and how does it work?

Makoplasty is the name given to joint replacement surgery performed with the Mako robotic-arm system. It began as a partial knee procedure, in which only the damaged section of the knee is resurfaced and the healthy parts are kept, and the same system is now used for total knee and total hip replacement. Hospitals in Turkey usually describe makoplasty as a partial knee resurfacing for arthritis that affects one compartment of the knee, most often the inner side.

The process is planned in advance. A CT scan of the joint is turned into a three-dimensional model, and the surgeon decides how much bone to remove and where the implant should sit. In the operation the surgeon holds the robotic arm, which allows cutting only inside the planned boundary and stops the burr if it strays outside. The arm does not operate by itself; the surgeon guides every movement. For the wider picture of joint treatments see our orthopedics treatments in Turkey.

Get my free quote

Is makoplasty the same as a knee replacement?

Not exactly. "Makoplasty" describes the robotic method rather than a single operation. In a partial knee makoplasty a small metal and plastic implant replaces only the worn compartment, so the ligaments, the other compartments and the kneecap joint stay in place. In a total version the whole surface is replaced. The partial form is described in detail in our guide to knee makoplasty, and the standard full operation in total knee replacement. For hips, see total hip replacement.

Does makoplasty work, and what does the evidence say?

Partial knee resurfacing as a concept has decades of evidence: in suitable patients it relieves pain, preserves more natural knee movement and recovers faster than a total knee replacement. What is less certain is whether the robot itself improves the outcome. Studies show the implant is placed closer to the plan, with more consistent alignment, but large long-term trials have not clearly shown fewer revisions or higher satisfaction than a skilled surgeon using conventional instruments. Partial replacements also carry a somewhat higher chance of needing further surgery later, mainly because arthritis can progress in the untouched parts of the knee. A trustworthy hospital will explain this trade-off instead of presenting makoplasty as a cure.

Makoplasty cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany

The table gives approximate ranges for one partial knee makoplasty, not hospital quotes. A total knee or hip performed with the same system costs more. Each hospital confirms its own price in writing.

The price rises with the implant brand and the type of fixation, whether the robot is charged separately, the CT planning, the hospital room and the number of nights. A package normally includes pre-operative tests, surgeon and anaesthetist, the implant, a few nights in hospital, physiotherapy and transfers. Ask for the implant name and what happens if you need more care.

Get my free written quote

Partial, total or non-surgical: which option fits which knee?

The table compares the main choices for knee arthritis.

If the main problem is a torn meniscus rather than arthritis, an arthroscopic meniscus repair may be a more suitable operation.

Who is a good candidate for makoplasty?

The ideal candidate has pain on one side of the knee, usually the inner side, that limits walking and has not responded to simple painkillers, physiotherapy, weight management or injections. The ligaments should be intact, the knee should bend and straighten well and the deformity should be mild. Very high body weight, inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, damage across the whole knee or a stiff joint make partial resurfacing less suitable. Your surgeon will decide from X-rays, the CT scan and an examination, and may advise a total knee instead. Smokers and people with active infection or uncontrolled diabetes should delay surgery.

Age is not a strict barrier. Active people in their fifties and sixties are often offered partial resurfacing because it keeps more of the natural knee, while older patients with one-sided wear may choose it for the quicker recovery. What matters more is the pattern of damage on the scan and your goals: if you hope to return to regular running or heavy manual work, discuss realistic expectations openly, because any artificial joint has limits and the surgeon should tell you what yours are.

What happens during the operation?

You have a CT scan and standard pre-operative tests. On the day, spinal or general anaesthesia is used. The surgeon makes a small incision, registers your bone to the plan, and uses the robotic arm to remove the worn surface within the planned boundary. Trial implants are checked for fit and movement, and then the final components are fixed, usually with cement. A partial knee takes about 60 to 90 minutes. You walk with the physiotherapist the same day or the next morning, and a drain is rarely needed.

How long is the recovery, and how many days do I stay in Turkey?

Hospital stay is usually 1 to 3 nights, and most overseas patients remain in Turkey for 5 to 8 days so that the wound and your first exercises can be checked. Because less bone and soft tissue are disturbed, recovery is often quicker than after a total knee replacement.

• Week 1: walking with crutches, ice, elevation and a blood-thinning regimen as advised.
• Weeks 2–6: one stick or none, desk work and short walks, driving once you can brake safely.
• Weeks 6–12: most daily activities, swimming and cycling when cleared.
• 3–6 months: strength and movement keep improving.

Short flights are usually allowed after about a week with the surgeon's agreement; keep walking and drink water on the journey.

Plan my trip and recovery

What do makoplasty before and after results look like?

After the swelling goes down, most people have less pain on walking and stairs and a knee that feels closer to their own. Post-operative X-rays show a small implant on one side of the joint and normal bone elsewhere. They do not show how well the knee works, and results depend on rehabilitation, weight and how the rest of the joint ages. A scar of 8 to 12 cm is typical. Kneeling is often possible, though it can feel odd; high-impact sport is not usually advised.

What are the risks of makoplasty?

As with any knee surgery the NHS lists infection, blood clots, stiffness, ongoing pain, loosening or wear of the implant and anaesthetic complications. With a partial replacement the key long-term risk is progression of arthritis elsewhere in the knee, which can lead to revision to a total knee. Robot-specific issues include pin-site pain from tracking pins and rare technical failures, usually solved by converting to a manual technique. Ask the surgeon how many partial knees they perform each year; high-volume surgeons tend to have lower revision rates.

How do I choose a hospital, and what are the red flags?

Choose an orthopaedic surgeon who regularly performs partial and total knee replacements, a licensed hospital with intensive care and a clear written plan with the implant brand named. Red flags include guaranteed results, no CT planning, no explanation of why a partial knee suits you, a package with no list of inclusions and pressure to pay quickly. Read how our process works and send your X-rays through our free quote page for a written plan.

Questions to ask the clinic

• Why is a partial rather than a total replacement recommended for me?
• Which implant will be used, and can I keep the implant record?
• How many Mako procedures has my surgeon performed?
• Is the robot charged separately?
• How many nights must I stay in Turkey?
• Who reviews my progress after I fly home?

Get my free quote

Hospitals with Orthopedics in Turkey

Academic Hospital

Üsküdar, Istanbul

MoHHealth Tourism Licence+2

Get Free Quote

Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital

Pendik, Istanbul

JCIMoH+2

Get Free Quote

View all

Frequently asked questions