Robotic-Assisted Prosthetics

Robotic-Assisted Prosthetics: In an era where technology is continuously advancing, robots are increasingly being used effectively. Robotic systems are becoming more common in knee and hip prosthetic surgeries, allowing for prosthetics to be implanted specifically tailored to the patient’s anatomy.
In traditional prosthetic procedures, the placement of the prosthetic device depends entirely on the surgeon’s interpretation of the patient’s examination and imaging results during the surgery. The surgeon’s knowledge and experience are crucial in this process. However, unforeseen situations can arise during surgeries. In robotic surgery, each step is supported by navigational assistance and a robotic arm, ensuring that the planned surgery aligns with the patient’s anatomical features. This guarantees that the prosthetic device fits perfectly with the patient’s anatomy.

Robotic knee prosthesis surgeries allow your doctor to perform the procedure with an error margin of less than 2 mm. The robotic-assisted prosthetic application ensures that the prosthetics are positioned better along the patient’s mechanical axis, leading to longer-lasting and healthier use of the prosthetic. Wear and loosening of the prosthetic joint are reported to be less frequent in both early and late stages. Patients experience greater ease of movement throughout the joint’s range of motion, and postoperative rehabilitation is facilitated.

Currently, robotic-assisted prosthetics are used in hip and knee replacements.

When these prosthetics are made, pre-existing X-rays and CT scans of your knee or hip are used for planning. After this planning, preparations similar to those in normal prosthetic surgery are carried out. Once patients are positioned appropriately on the operating table, optical tracking devices are attached to both the femur and tibia, synchronized with a camera capable of capturing 3D images. The surgeon prepares the surgical site, and with the help of a robotic arm, makes incisions to shape the joint surfaces for the prosthetic. At each stage of the surgery, both the installed tracking devices and dynamic controls ensure real-time data is displayed on the robotic arm’s screen. If necessary, the surgeon can make adjustments on the screen and intervene further. Once all cuts are complete, the prosthetics are placed with the assistance of the robotic arm, and the procedure is concluded.

The primary advantage of robotic-assisted prosthetics is the precise placement during surgery, minimizing leg length discrepancies and maximizing joint mobility.

Rehabilitation after robotic-assisted prosthetics is similar to that of standard prosthetics. However, patients return to their normal lives much faster. Patients who have undergone this method can often be mobilized as early as the day after surgery. During their hospital stay, they are encouraged to perform mobilization and joint movement exercises. Most patients return to active life within 1 to 2 months.

Despite the advantages of robotic systems, there are some disadvantages. The setup time for the robotic system and determining the anatomy can extend the surgery duration compared to standard procedures.

Additionally, there will be two small extra incisions for attaching the optical tracking devices to both the tibia and femur.

Another drawback is that the surgical blocks and optical tracking systems used in robotic knee prosthetics are personalized, which can incur additional costs for patients.

Q&A

Which patients benefit the most from robotic-assisted prosthetics?

While optimal placement of prosthetics increases their lifespan for all patients, robotic-assisted prosthetics are particularly suitable for those who have previously undergone surgery on the femur or tibia and for patients with significant leg deformities.

Who is not a suitable candidate for robotic-assisted prosthetics?

Patients who are extremely short or overweight, especially those with thick legs and short leg lengths, may face challenges in placing optical tracking devices and are not suitable candidates for robotic-assisted prosthetics.

Are the prosthetics used in robotic-assisted procedures different?

The blocks and optical tracking systems used for incisions in robotic-assisted prosthetics are personalized, but the prosthetics themselves are the same as those used in standard procedures.
For detailed information, visit my YouTube channel: @profdrhalukcabuk

Prof. Dr. Haluk ÇABUK

Patient Comments

Our meeting with my teacher Haluk started 3 years ago when I had a knee problem. I'm glad we made an appointment with Haluk Hodja and got to know him. In addition to achieving great work in his field, the care he gives to his patients is beyond amazing. Trusting him blindly, we decided to go and have surgery for my wife's illness 1 month ago. It has been a month since my wife's surgery and we are going through a much more advanced process than we thought. We feel like he is a member of our family. May God always bring success to your work...

Pelin K.

Happy Patient

We met Haluk Hodja thanks to my grandmother's knee surgery. Compared to other doctors, he detected my grandmother's knee pain, which had been going on for years, only with a manual examination, instead of performing thousands of tests, and successfully performed the Robotic Knee Prosthesis surgery in June 2023. After the surgery, we could easily reach him whenever we needed him and he gave us advice and support. He is a very helpful and successful surgeon. Thanks.

Melis Y.

Happy Patient

Haluk is a really caring and expert doctor. I applied to him because of a tumor on my arm. He helped me a lot in this process and supported me a lot in overcoming my fears. My surgery was very successful. I went through the process very easily, thanks to my doctor. I continue my check-ups with teacher Haluk. I am very pleased with my doctor. I recommend it wholeheartedly to everyone.

Irmak B.

Happy Patient

Throughout the entire process of my mother's illness, he had an incredibly comfortable process, thanks to his warm-hearted approach and the most accurate guidance. First of all, we would like to thank him and then his team. He gave my mother's quality of life back to her again ❤️ We are grateful to you as a family, teacher Haluk 😊🙏🏻

Demet A.

Happy Patient

My foot was broken in a traffic accident and I had to have surgery. I am very lucky in this regard, Haluk Bey performed my surgery and he is a real professional in this field. The healing process is also followed very closely. I would like to thank him again from here.

Uğur Ş.

Happy Patient

Prof. Dr. Haluk ÇABUK

Contact Form

Prof. Dr. Haluk ÇABUK

My Areas of Expertise

Private Health Insurance Information

Medical procedures with private health insurance are carried out as follows:

If you have individual health insurance (private health insurance), you can receive a reimbursement from your insurance by submitting the invoice for the medical examination and your insurance evaluation card. Similarly, any necessary radiological and blood tests can also be claimed from the insurance with the corresponding invoice.
If you have hybrid insurance, since our institution does not have an agreement with SGK, you can claim the invoice amounts from your insurance based on the terms of your insurance contract. (Many complementary health insurances fall under this category. Please review your health insurance policy.)
If you have complementary health insurance (TSS), it will not be valid because we do not have an agreement with SGK.

The process for surgeries with private health insurance proceeds as follows (both individual and hybrid insurances are included):

If you require surgery, our doctor will fill out the necessary forms, and your insurance application will be processed through the hospitals we are affiliated with.
During the application, the costs for the hospital surgery, the materials used during the surgery, and the doctor’s surgery fee determined by the Turkish Medical Association will be submitted to the insurance for approval.
Once your insurance approves, the hospital processes and the material invoices are paid directly to the hospital by the insurance.
You will need to first pay the doctor’s fee and then submit the invoice and approval from the doctor to reclaim the amount from your insurance.

For more detailed information, please contact us.

Robotic-Assisted Prosthetics