A clear, clinically grounded guide to how robotic-assisted knee replacement works, who it benefits, and why Jaipur patients are choosing this technology over conventional surgery.
By the Apex Hospitals Editorial Team · Published July 2026
Knee pain that limits your ability to climb stairs, walk to the market, or sleep through the night is more than an inconvenience — it is a signal that the Knee has deteriorated beyond what physiotherapy or medication can reverse. For millions of Indians living with end-stage osteoarthritis, knee replacement surgery is the most effective long-term solution. But the question patients in Jaipur are increasingly asking is: should I choose conventional surgery or robotic-assisted surgery?
This article explains the science behind robotic knee replacement, the specific technology available at Apex Hospitals' robotic orthopaedic surgery programme in Jaipur, and what the recovery journey looks like — so you can have an informed conversation with your surgeon.
Traditional total knee replacement is a well-established procedure with decades of evidence behind it. However, its outcomes depend heavily on the surgeon's ability to manually align the implant within a narrow tolerance — typically ±3 degrees. Even small misalignments can cause uneven wear, persistent pain, or reduced range of motion over time.
Studies published in peer-reviewed orthopaedic journals have consistently shown that implant malalignment is one of the leading causes of early revision surgery after knee replacement. Conventional techniques also rely on intramedullary rods inserted into the femur to guide cuts — a step that carries a small but real risk of fat embolism and blood loss.
These limitations are precisely what robotic-assisted systems were designed to address.
Robotic-assisted knee replacement does not mean a robot performs the surgery autonomously. The surgeon remains in complete control at every step. The robotic system acts as an intelligent co-pilot — providing real-time data, enforcing pre-planned boundaries, and alerting the surgeon if the instrument drifts outside the safe zone.
The general workflow looks like this:
Pre-operative planning: The surgeon uses imaging data or intraoperative bone mapping to create a patient-specific 3D model of the knee and plan the exact implant size, position, and alignment.
Intraoperative mapping: The robotic system registers the patient's actual anatomy in real time, accounting for soft tissue tension and limb alignment under load.
Guided bone resection: The robotic handpiece restricts the cutting tool to the pre-planned boundaries, preventing accidental over-resection of healthy bone.
Implant placement: The surgeon places the implant with robotic guidance confirming optimal positioning before final fixation.
The result is a level of precision that is difficult to replicate consistently with manual instruments alone — particularly in complex cases involving significant deformity or revision surgery.
Dr. Himanshu Kichad, Robotic knee Replacement Surgeon at Apex Hospitals Jaipur, explains how the CORI Robotic System transforms knee replacement outcomes.
Apex Hospitals Malviya Nagar is among a select group of centres in Rajasthan to offer the CORI Surgical System by Smith+Nephew — a USFDA-approved, imageless handheld robotic platform specifically designed for knee replacement.
What makes CORI clinically distinctive is its RI.KNEE real-time intraoperative 3D mapping technology. Unlike older robotic systems that require a pre-operative CT scan to build the patient's bone model, CORI maps the knee anatomy directly in the operating theatre using a registration process that takes only a few minutes. This eliminates the radiation exposure and cost of a pre-surgical CT scan — a meaningful benefit for patients.
Key performance metrics of the CORI system include:
29% faster bone resection compared to earlier robotic platforms
5× faster system response for real-time boundary enforcement
2× more cutting volume per pass, reducing operative time
AI-assisted implant planning that accounts for each patient's unique anatomy
Minimal soft tissue damage due to precise, boundary-controlled cutting
The system supports both total and partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement, meaning patients with disease limited to one compartment of the knee may be candidates for a less invasive partial replacement — preserving more of their natural bone and ligament structure.
To learn more about the full range of knee procedures available, visit the orthopaedics department at Apex Hospitals.
Robotic-assisted surgery is not automatically the right choice for every patient — but it offers the greatest benefit in specific clinical scenarios. Your orthopaedic surgeon will assess your suitability based on imaging, physical examination, and your overall health profile.
Patients who tend to benefit most include:
Those with end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee (Grade III or IV on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale) who have not responded to conservative management
Patients with significant varus or valgus deformity (bow-legged or knock-kneed alignment) where precise correction is critical
Younger, more active patients who want to return to a higher level of physical function and need an implant that will last longer due to better alignment
Patients with complex anatomy — prior fractures, previous surgeries, or unusual bone geometry — where standard jigs may not fit accurately
Those who want to minimise blood loss and soft tissue trauma for a faster recovery
Patients with inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis) may also be candidates. The rheumatology team at Apex Hospitals works closely with orthopaedic surgeons to optimise patients with inflammatory knee disease before and after surgery.
One of the most frequently asked questions is: how soon will I be able to walk? With robotic-assisted surgery at Apex Hospitals, many patients are able to take their first steps with support within 24 hours of the procedure. This is made possible by the minimal soft tissue disruption that robotic precision allows — less trauma to surrounding muscles and ligaments means less pain and swelling in the early post-operative period.
A typical recovery timeline looks like this:
Day 1–2: Physiotherapy begins; patient walks short distances with a walker under supervision
Day 3–5: Hospital discharge for most patients; home exercises prescribed
Week 2–4: Transition from walker to walking stick; stair climbing introduced
Week 6–8: Most patients resume light daily activities and driving
Month 3–6: Return to low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, and cycling
Structured physiotherapy is a critical component of recovery. Apex Hospitals operates an in-house physiotherapy and rehabilitation unit where patients work with dedicated therapists who specialise in post-knee-replacement recovery protocols.
| Factor | Conventional Surgery | Robotic-Assisted (CORI) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-op CT scan required | Sometimes | No (imageless system) |
| Implant alignment accuracy | Surgeon-dependent | AI-guided, boundary-controlled |
| Soft tissue trauma | Moderate | Minimised by precise cutting |
| Time to first walk | 1–3 days typically | Often within 24 hours |
| Customisation to patient anatomy | Limited by standard jigs | Real-time 3D intraoperative mapping |
| Surgeon control | Full manual control | Full control with robotic guidance |
Modern knee replacement — robotic or conventional — is performed under carefully managed anaesthesia, most commonly spinal anaesthesia combined with nerve blocks that provide targeted pain relief for 12–24 hours after surgery. This multimodal approach significantly reduces the need for opioid painkillers in the post-operative period, allowing patients to engage with physiotherapy earlier and more comfortably.
At Apex Hospitals, the anaesthesiology team works as an integral part of the knee replacement pathway, tailoring pain management plans to each patient's age, comorbidities, and recovery goals.
For patients with diabetes, hypertension, or other chronic conditions, the internal medicine team provides pre-operative optimisation to reduce surgical risk and support a smoother recovery.
Rajasthan has a large and growing population of patients with osteoarthritis, partly driven by lifestyle factors, agricultural labour, and an ageing demographic. Historically, patients from smaller cities and rural areas of Rajasthan who needed advanced knee replacement surgery had to travel to Delhi or Mumbai — incurring significant cost and disruption.
The availability of the CORI robotic system at Apex Hospitals Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, means that patients from across Rajasthan — including Sawai Madhopur, Jhunjhunu, Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, and Udaipur — can now access world-class robotic knee replacement closer to home. Apex Hospitals operates across eight locations in the region and has been serving patients since 1994, with NABH accreditation affirming its clinical standards.
The hospital is empanelled under Ayushman Bharat and major insurance and TPA schemes, making advanced care financially accessible to a broader patient population.
Whether you are considering conventional or robotic surgery, being an informed patient leads to better outcomes. Here are questions worth raising at your consultation:
Am I a candidate for partial (unicompartmental) or total knee replacement?
What implant brand and design will be used, and what is its long-term track record?
How many robotic knee replacements has this surgical team performed?
What does the rehabilitation protocol look like, and is physiotherapy available on-site?
What are the risks specific to my health profile (diabetes, obesity, prior surgeries)?
Is this procedure covered under my insurance or Ayushman Bharat?
Yes. The CORI system is USFDA-approved and has been used in thousands of procedures globally. The surgeon remains in full control throughout — the robot does not operate independently. The system's boundary enforcement actually reduces the risk of inadvertent cuts to healthy tissue.
In experienced hands, the operative time for robotic-assisted knee replacement is comparable to conventional surgery. The CORI system's 29% faster bone resection and 5× faster system response help keep theatre time efficient.
No. The CORI system is imageless — it maps your knee anatomy in real time in the operating theatre using a registration process. This eliminates the need for a pre-operative CT scan, saving you time, cost, and radiation exposure.
Modern knee implants are designed to last 15–25 years with appropriate use. Better alignment — which robotic surgery helps achieve — is associated with reduced wear and a lower likelihood of early revision surgery.
Coverage varies by insurer and policy. Apex Hospitals is empanelled under Ayushman Bharat and multiple TPA schemes. The billing team at Apex can help you verify your coverage before the procedure.
Simultaneous bilateral knee replacement is possible in selected patients who are medically fit and have significant disease in both knees. Your surgeon will assess whether staged or simultaneous replacement is safer and more practical for your situation.
Speak with the robotic knee replacement team at Apex Hospitals Malviya Nagar to find out whether the CORI robotic system is right for you — no obligation, just expert guidance.
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