Robert Malitz
Mako Total Knee recipient
“I’ve been active my entire life.”
For Robert, spending time with his two children, traveling, playing golf, tennis and hiking are just a few of his favorite activities. Over the years, all of this activity started to take its toll on Robert’s body. “My initial injury dated back to my high school football days. I tore my ACL and I didn’t get treated. I just kept pushing forward with my activities.” By the time Robert was 25, he had numerous knee scopes and an ACL reconstruction surgery.
“I knew I had a problem one day when I was playing basketball with my son. The next day I could barely walk. I could no longer ignore the pain.” A visit to an orthopaedic specialist confirmed that Robert had arthritis in his knee and that he was a candidate for total knee replacement.
Finding a reputable hospital and a surgeon he could trust was important to him, so Robert didn’t commit to surgery right after his first appointment. He decided to get a second opinion and searched for hospitals offering Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery. “When I first heard of Mako, I thought that it was great that a surgeon could use a robotic-arm to help perform my surgery. It was important to me that my surgeon use the latest technology.” After discussing the benefits and risks of surgery with his doctor, Robert decided to undergo a Mako Total Knee replacement.
Following surgery, Robert stuck to the physical therapy regimen prescribed by his doctor, and now he’s back to walking the golf course rather than driving the golf cart. He’s also back to doing light yoga and hiking. “If you are limited in your day-to-day activities and it’s starting to affect you both mentally and physically, research your options. Technology has advanced so much over the years and I am so happy I got my knee replaced with Mako Technology.”
All surgery carries risk. See your orthopaedic surgeon to discuss your potential benefits and risks. Not all patients will have the same post-operative recovery and activity level. Individual results vary.
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Knee Replacements
Total knee replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative, rheumatoid and posttraumatic arthritis, and for moderate deformity of the knee.
Knee replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, or severe instability of the knee.
As with any surgery, knee replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, bone fracture, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal digestive movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death.
Implant related risks which may lead to a revision include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, heterotopic bone formation (abnormal bone growth in tissue), wear of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, soft tissue imbalance, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), and reaction to particle debris. Knee implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint.
The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is right for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will receive the same postoperative activity level. The lifetime of a joint replacement is not infinite and varies with each individual. Your doctor will counsel you about how to best maintain your activities in order to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device. Such strategies include not engaging in high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if the Triathlon knee is right for you.
Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: AccuStop, Mako, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.
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