For decades, total hip replacement was considered one of the greatest achievements of modern medicine, enabling millions of people to overcome chronic pain and regain their mobility and quality of life. However, this “ceiling” of excellence is beginning to be exceeded. Today is the Traumatology is experiencing a similar turning point as other technological advances in medicine: the Robot-assisted surgery.
Argentina has just introduced a tool that until recently was only available in the best medical centers in the world. It’s about them Mako SmartRobotics systemA Robotic surgery platform for hip and knee replacement which is already operational in the country and, according to specialists, is redefining the surgical standard.
“Total hip replacement has evolved so much Improvements no longer depend solely on the skill of the surgeonbut a combination of sophisticated planning, technology and a comprehensive approach to the patient,” explains Andrés Anania, trauma doctor (MN 119,930), specialist in hip and knee surgery and one of the first to use this system in Argentina.
The key to the Mako system lies in the personalized planning in two steps before the operation: First, the medical team a tomography This allows the patient’s real anatomy to be reconstructed digitally and then using this model The size, orientation and ideal position of the implant are defined with millimeter precisiondepending on each person’s biomechanics and goals.
“It’s not just about putting in a prosthesis; reconstruct a joint“, summarizes Anania. “Inserting an implant is just the beginning, but.” Get a replacement that works like your own joint“The ability for the patient to return to exercise or play with their grandchildren is only possible if the joint regains its natural alignment.”
In contrast to the classic image of the “self-operating robot” The Mako system does not replace the surgeon. The doctor controls the entire process, relying on an intelligent robotic arm that guides every movement and automatically blocks any attempt to deviate from the predetermined plan. This technology, called haptic feedback, acts as a real-time security system.
The aim of robot-assisted joint replacement is for the patient to feel that the prosthesis is their own
“We went from relying almost exclusively on the eye and the hand – excellent but variable – to one data-driven surgery with constant monitoring during the procedure“says Anania. According to the specialist, this precision cannot be achieved manually: “There is no surgeon, no matter how experienced, who can achieve precision of half a millimeter and half a degree in all three planes. This is only possible with computer and robotic support.”
More precision and less pain: how much it costs and where it is made in Argentina
The advantages arise from this less postoperative pain, faster recovery and better functional results. By protecting muscles, tendons and ligaments, the operation is less invasive and allows for more agile rehabilitation.
“One of the biggest advantages is that patients don’t feel like they’re wearing a prosthesis, but rather like their own joint,” says Anania. “This is because the implant is placed exactly in the anatomical and biomechanical location of each patient.”
This level of precision also affects the Durability of the replacement. Today, hip and knee prostheses can last up to 30 yearssomething that was unthinkable just two decades ago. “The more precise the placement of the implant, the less wear, fewer complications and fewer revision procedures in the future,” says the traumatologist.
The Mako SmartRobotics system is available in Argentina Sanatorium Finochiettoafter a two-year founding process and a joint investment between the sanatorium and the ASE Medife Group. The technology was launched in October 2024 and in the first 12 months Around 100 operations were carried out. This number is expected to quadruple by 2026 due to increasing patient demand.
Anania clarifies the costs There is no uniform value as each operation is very individual. “The final price depends on several factors: the complexity of the osteoarthritis, the type of surgery, the implant, the robotic equipment and the necessary professional equipment,” he explains. However, The expert points out that the basic costs in particular are around 100% $10,000.
Although the initial cost may be higher than traditional surgery, the long-term benefits justify the difference. “By reducing complications and extending the useful life of the implants, the final cost is lower because Follow-up operations are avoided and the economic impact this has on the healthcare system and families,” he concludes.
Regarding coverage, Medifé is currently the only prepaid company to have announced 100% coverage for Mako-powered operations in the higher-end plans (Platinum and Gold), as well as partial coverage in other plans.
According to Anania, the introduction of this technology in Argentina will be gradual, like other medical advances. “It is being implemented for the first time Centers with high complexity“, then consolidates with volume and local evidence, and ultimately expands based on patient and payer demand,” he predicts.
“It is no longer just about eliminating pain, but about bringing everyday life back to its most active and personal form. Traumatology is entering a new era, and the future will no longer be measured in years, but in software updates,” he concludes, reflecting on this Robot-assisted surgery and the new stage of modern traumatology.
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