Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement with ROSA

Knee replacement aims to relieve arthritis pain and help you return to walking and everyday activities with greater comfort. Robotic assistance brings detailed measurements and planning tools into the operating room, helping your surgeon tailor the reconstruction to your knee.

I use the ROSA Knee System in my surgical practice. It supports my assessment of your knee, planning of implant position, and bone preparation. I remain in control of the operation and use this information to guide surgical decisions throughout the procedure.

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When knee replacement can help

If knee arthritis makes walking, climbing stairs, or sleeping difficult despite nonsurgical treatment, replacement may offer meaningful relief. The operation replaces worn joint surfaces with implants, with the goals of reducing pain and improving movement and daily function.

At your consultation, we review your symptoms, X-rays, previous treatments, and general health. Tell me what you would most like to get back to: a comfortable walk, easier stairs, work, or time with your family. Those goals help shape your treatment plan.

How ROSA helps me plan your knee replacement

Every knee has its own anatomy and pattern of wear. ROSA provides measurements during surgery that help me assess alignment, plan bone cuts and implant positions, and evaluate the balance of the surrounding soft tissues.

The system allows me to review the plan and make adjustments as I assess your knee. Its robotic arm positions and holds a cutting guide while I perform the bone cuts. This combines surgical experience with technology that helps translate the plan into the operation.

The main features are:

Planning around your anatomy: measurements help guide the position of the replacement components.
Guided bone preparation: the robotic arm helps position the cutting guide according to the surgical plan.
Assessment during the operation: information about alignment and balance helps me refine the reconstruction.

These are the practical reasons I use robotic assistance: to support a carefully planned, individualized knee replacement. How ROSA works

Your surgeon leads the procedure

ROSA is a surgical assistant. I perform the operation, assess the tissues, choose and adjust the plan, and check the knee throughout the procedure.

ROSA offers image-based and imageless workflows. In an imageless workflow, anatomical landmarks are recorded during the operation. Your preoperative assessment still includes the imaging needed to understand your arthritis and plan your care. Our team will explain which examinations you need. ROSA Knee System

A complete plan for pain relief and recovery

The goal of treatment is a knee that helps you move more comfortably in daily life. Robotic planning is one part of that care, together with implant selection, pain management, rehabilitation, and follow-up.

Before surgery, we discuss your medical conditions, medicines, and bone health. We also plan the support you will need at home. Your starting strength, knee movement, and general health help us set useful recovery goals.

After surgery, your rehabilitation team guides you through walking and exercises to improve movement and strength. Progress is measured through practical milestones: getting out of a chair, using the bathroom, walking safely, and managing the stairs you need at home.

Understanding the risks

Knee replacement carries risks including infection, blood clots, stiffness, persistent pain, fracture, nerve or blood vessel injury, and medical or anesthesia complications. Implant loosening or other problems may require further surgery. Tracking pins used with robotic systems also carry pin-related risks, including a fracture at a pin site.

We will discuss the risks relevant to your health, how they are managed, and the expected benefits of surgery. Your individual assessment is the basis for choosing the most appropriate treatment.

Preparing for surgery and your return home

Bring your medication list, relevant X-rays, previous operation details, and any bone density reports. Let us know about stairs, your usual walking distance, and the help available at home.

Before discharge, make sure you understand your pain medicines, wound care, walking aid, exercises, and follow-up appointments. Build activity gradually with your therapist and report swelling or pain that makes progress difficult.

Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing wound redness or drainage, fever, worsening pain, or new calf swelling. Sudden chest pain or difficulty breathing needs emergency assessment. Severe new pain or difficulty bearing weight after a fall also needs urgent attention.

Planning the practical details

The hospital can provide an itemized estimate covering the operation, implant, robotic assistance, anesthesia, and hospital stay. This helps you understand the proposed care and any optional costs before making a decision.

English-language consultations with me focus on hip and knee replacement surgery. If you are considering knee replacement in Taiwan, see the appointment information and official hospital contacts.

Questions for your consultation

What improvement can I expect from knee replacement?
How would you plan the operation for my knee?
What should I do to prepare for surgery?
How will pain relief and rehabilitation be arranged?
What help will I need at home?
What costs should I plan for?
When will we review my progress?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main benefit of robotic assistance?

It provides detailed measurements and tools for planning implant position, guiding bone preparation, and assessing knee balance. These help your surgeon tailor the reconstruction to your anatomy.

Who performs the operation?

I perform the surgery and make the clinical decisions. ROSA assists with measurements and positioning the cutting guide.

How do I know whether this is suitable for me?

We review the severity of your arthritis, symptoms, imaging, previous treatment, and general health. We then discuss the surgical plan in relation to your goals.

Will I need a CT scan?

Imaging requirements depend on the workflow. ROSA has image-based and imageless options, and your team will explain exactly which examinations to arrange.

How will pain be managed?

Pain management is planned alongside anesthesia and early movement. Your team will explain your medicines and how to use them during recovery, with adjustments according to your needs.

When will I start walking?

Your team will help you begin standing and walking when appropriate after the operation, using the support you need. Strength, balance, comfort, and the surgical plan guide your progression.

What does rehabilitation involve?

Rehabilitation focuses on knee movement, muscle strength, walking, and everyday tasks. Your therapist will give you a manageable program and help you progress toward greater independence.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Bring your X-rays and reports, medication list, previous operation details, and any bone density results. A short list of activities affected by knee pain helps us focus on what matters to you.

A note from Dr. Tai

My focus is on combining careful surgical planning with practical recovery care. At your consultation, we can discuss how knee replacement and ROSA robotic assistance fit your needs, and plan the steps toward more comfortable movement.

Medical information disclaimer

This article is general education, not an individual recommendation for surgery or a particular device. The surgical technique, implant, medicines, rehabilitation, and costs should be discussed with your treating team.

References

Written by Ta-Wei Tai, MD, PhD, hip and knee surgeon at National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan. Author profile: Mandarin page.