The Islands Healthcare Complex – Macao Medical Centre of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), colloquially known as Macao Union Hospital, has successfully performed Macau’s first robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty*, with the patient walking the day after surgery following a minimally invasive procedure, according to an English-language statement by the hospital on Friday.
In Cantonese, the hospital is generally known as “Hip Woh” (“Harmony”).
The statement said that the operation was carried out using the Mako robotic orthopaedic system**, which enables highly precise joint replacement surgery. Unlike traditional total knee replacement, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty replaces only the damaged compartment of the knee while preserving healthy cartilage, bone tissue, and the patient’s anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, the statement noted.
Before surgery, the medical team used CT imaging (computed tomography) to create a 3D model of the patient’s knee, allowing surgeons to accurately plan the implant’s position and angle, the statement said, highlighting that during the operation, the robotic arm performed bone cutting with sub-millimetre precision within designated safety boundaries while using tactile feedback technology to minimise the risk of damaging surrounding blood vessels and nerves.
The patient, an elderly individual who had suffered from chronic pain on the inner side of the knee and experienced difficulty climbing stairs despite conservative treatment, recovered quickly after the procedure, the statement underlined.
According to the statement, the patient was able to stand and walk short distances with the assistance of a walker the following day, while post-operative pain was significantly lower than expected. The statement said that preserving the knee’s natural ligaments helps maintain the joint’s biomechanics, stability and range of motion, resulting in a more natural feeling after surgery and potentially improving long-term mobility and quality of life.
The hospital said that it plans to further expand the use of the Mako robotic system to provide more personalised and precise treatment for patients with knee disorders, supporting the development of minimally invasive and smart orthopaedic care in Macau, the statement noted.
*A unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (also known as a partial knee replacement) is a surgical procedure where only one damaged compartment or side of the knee joint is resurfaced with artificial implants, rather than replacing the entire joint. It is typically performed to treat localised osteoarthritis while preserving the healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments in the rest of the knee. - Gemini
**The Mako robotic orthopaedic system is a surgeon-controlled robotic arm used to increase precision during total hip, total knee, and partial knee replacements. It utilises a 3D CT scan of the patient’s specific anatomy to create a personalised surgical plan and establishes virtual boundaries that prevent the surgeon from cutting outside the designated target area. - Gemini
This undated handout photo provided by the Macao Union Hospital – colloquially known as “Hip Woh” – shows its Mako orthopaedic robot system.
