What Patients Say: MAKOplasty

Visit our MAKOplasty Facebook page, where patients share their stories.

Patient K.P., age 77

After several years of knee problems treated by injections and therapy I decided it was time for knee replacement. Dr. Bartlett told me of a new MAKOplasty procedure. On Jan 8, 2010 I had this procedure on my right knee. I am very pleased with the results. I experienced no pain after surgery and now, six weeks I am walking normally. The amount of swelling is gone and I feel wonderful. I have had several weeks of therapy, about twice a week, and all the reports are very encouraging. I am looking forward to a lot of summer activities, including golf.

I am having the same problem with my left knee and have no hesitation considering the same procedure

Thanks to Dr. Bartlett and his staff and the therapist for their help.

See K.P's post-op videos (3 months): (range of motion | walking)

Patient L.M., age 77

Before surgery — walked with a limp —took stairs 1 step at a time. Increasing inability to walk any distance comfortably.

After surgery — As soon as nerve block effect wore off (2nd post op day) I walked with ease and great joy! Down long hospital corridor! (no walker, no crutch, no cane)

Now — 10 weeks post op — my wobble walk has been transformed to a strong straight stride. Walking anywhere is a pleasure.

I have — and have always had — complete confidence in Dr. Bartlett and his surgical team — This includes a left total knee replacement in 2004.

I was fortunate to be a candidate for this Hemi-procedure — And also fortunate to have had very little pain, ever. I am grateful for Dr. Bartlett’s continuing care and oversight.

Patient S.K., age 73

Dr. Bartlett’s MAKOplasty surgery on my right knee lateral compartment has been an especially positive experience for me. Moreover, I can say that I had an uncomplicated Recovery, as I was home alone and able to walk without aid within the second day of being there.

In the three years prior to my surgery, I would wake at night to an aching in my leg that often kept me from sleep for many hours. Even more frustrating was my inability to negotiate stairs, having not been able to step down with my left foot, as my right knee simple would not carry me.

Now I find that I can walk with a much better gait. Nor do I wake at night with that debilitating pain in my leg. I am now, with the aid of physical therapy, beginning to be able to negotiate stairs, stepping down with my left foot. Already I am able to step up with my right foot. I know my leg is continuing to strengthen and that I expect very shortly to be able to handle stairs as though I were much younger.

I have faith and confidence in Dr. Bartlett and Deno and would not hesitate to undergo this surgery with them again. In addition, I highly recommend Joe at Sport & Spine for physical therapy sessions with him. In every case, each has been professional and very supportive.

See S.K.'s post-op videos: (12 days | 6 weeks)

Patient J.C., age 62

2009 was a year of change for me. I was having extreme difficulty climbing stairs in my home, found it almost impossible to do my morning walk and it was becoming a battle just to mow the lawn.

I underwent 2 knee replacements, six months apart, the first one conventional and the second one a MAKOplasty procedure. Although my recovery from the conventional knee replacement was uneventful, the MAKOplasty recovery was a whole new ballgame. 20 hours after the MAKOplasty surgery I was walking on my own in my first therapy session at Meriter. Plus, I had virtually no pain or discomfort. I don’t think the PT;s at Meriter will ever recover (pardon the pun) from seeing me walk unassisted up and down stairs less than a day after MAKOplasty surgery!

Now, 3 months later, I feel great. I took a 2 mile walk last weekend and am looking forward to getting my bike down off the hooks in the garage and doing some spring riding. There is full range of motion in both knees and I have no trouble or pain kneeling when necessary.

Dr. Bartlett is to be commended for pioneering the use of the MAKOplasty procedure in the Madison area. I feel very privileged to have been one of his first patients to receive a knee replacement in this manner.

See J.C.'s post-op videos: (22 hours | 24 hours | 5 days | 8 weeks)