If you are researching robotic knee surgery in India, two names come up most often: RoboLens FT3D and MAKO (by Stryker). Both use robotic assistance. Both claim precision. But they are built on fundamentally different principles — and understanding that difference matters when you are deciding which procedure and which surgeon is right for you.
This comparison is written by Dr TS Gill, the only surgeon in North India performing RoboLens FT3D knee resurfacing. The goal is to give you an honest, clinical picture — not a sales pitch.
The Core Difference: When Is the 3D Map Created?
This is the single most important technical difference between the two systems, and it affects everything else.
MAKO (Stryker): Requires a CT scan before surgery. The CT data is used to build a 3D model of your knee weeks in advance. On the day of surgery, the robot guides the surgeon based on that pre-operative model.
RoboLens FT3D: No pre-operative CT scan is required. The robotic system maps your knee in real time during the operation itself, using probe-based surface registration and live positional tracking. The 3D model is created on the operating table.
This distinction has significant downstream effects on accuracy, safety, patient experience, and cost.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | RoboLens FT3D | MAKO (Stryker) |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Mapping | Intraoperative (during surgery) | Pre-operative CT scan |
| CT Scan Required | No | Yes (before surgery) |
| Radiation Exposure | None | CT scan radiation |
| Procedure Type | Partial resurfacing (compartment-specific) | Partial or total replacement |
| Data Accuracy | Captures knee in actual surgical state | Based on pre-surgery snapshot |
| Bone Preservation | Maximum — only damaged area removed | Partial — depends on procedure type |
| Pre-Surgery Steps | X-ray + clinical exam only | CT scan + pre-operative planning session |
| Available in North India | Yes — Dr TS Gill, Max Hospital Mohali | Multiple centres |
The Problem With Pre-Operative CT Planning
MAKO’s strength is also its limitation. The CT scan provides a detailed map of your knee — but that map is taken weeks before surgery, while you are standing or lying in a scanner. By the time you are on the operating table under general anaesthesia, several things have changed:
- Soft tissue tension is different under anaesthesia than in a standing CT
- Joint fluid levels fluctuate between the scan date and surgery date
- The natural sag and position of the knee changes when muscles are relaxed
The robot is referencing data that is already outdated. For many patients this difference is small. For patients with complex anatomy, significant deformity, or unusual soft tissue patterns, it can matter significantly.
FT3D eliminates this problem by mapping the knee exactly as it presents during surgery — capturing the soft tissue state, bone geometry, and joint mechanics in real time.
Procedure Scope: Resurfacing vs Replacement
Another key distinction is what each system is primarily designed to do.
MAKO is most widely used for total knee replacement, although it can also perform partial (unicompartmental) procedures. The dominant use case is full joint replacement with robotic guidance.
RoboLens FT3D is specifically optimised for compartment-level resurfacing — addressing only the damaged portion of the knee. This means:
- More of your natural bone is preserved
- The procedure is less invasive
- Recovery is typically faster
- The healthy compartments of your knee are untouched
If your knee arthritis is limited to one or two compartments — which is the case for a significant proportion of knee arthritis patients — FT3D resurfacing may allow you to avoid a full joint replacement entirely.
Which One Is Right for You?
The honest answer is: it depends on your clinical picture.
If your arthritis is limited to one or two compartments and you are otherwise a good surgical candidate, FT3D resurfacing is worth discussing seriously. The bone preservation advantage, combined with the absence of CT radiation and the real-time accuracy of intraoperative mapping, makes it the preferred approach for suitable patients.
If your arthritis is end-stage across the entire joint, total knee replacement — with or without robotic assistance — may be the appropriate answer.
The only way to know which applies to you is a proper clinical assessment, including X-rays and a direct examination of your knee. Dr TS Gill provides this assessment at his Chandigarh clinic and can clearly explain which option is clinically appropriate based on your specific anatomy and arthritis pattern.
Cost: FT3D vs MAKO in India
MAKO-assisted total knee replacement in India typically costs ₹3.5 lakh to ₹5.5 lakh or more, depending on the hospital and implant brand chosen.
RoboLens FT3D knee resurfacing in Chandigarh with Dr TS Gill typically costs between ₹2 lakh and ₹3.5 lakh, as it is a less extensive procedure using a smaller implant.
For patients who qualify for resurfacing rather than full replacement, FT3D is typically both more conservative and more cost-effective.
Book a Consultation
If you are comparing robotic knee surgery options and want a clinical opinion on whether FT3D resurfacing is appropriate for your knee, Dr TS Gill offers initial consultations at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali.
→ Full guide to RoboLens FT3D Knee Resurfacing
→ Book a Consultation with Dr TS Gill
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FT3D better than MAKO?
For patients requiring compartment-specific knee resurfacing, FT3D’s intraoperative mapping provides more accurate, real-time data than MAKO’s pre-operative CT approach. FT3D also avoids CT radiation and captures the knee in its actual surgical state. For total knee replacement, MAKO remains a widely used and effective system.
Does MAKO require a CT scan?
Yes. MAKO robotic surgery requires a CT scan before the procedure, which is used to create the 3D model for surgical planning. FT3D does not require any CT scan — the knee is mapped intraoperatively.
Which robotic knee system is available in Chandigarh?
Both MAKO and RoboLens FT3D are available in the Chandigarh region. RoboLens FT3D is performed exclusively by Dr TS Gill at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali — the only FT3D surgeon in North India.
Can I avoid total knee replacement with FT3D?
If your arthritis is limited to one or two compartments of the knee, FT3D resurfacing may allow you to preserve the healthy parts of your joint and avoid total replacement. Suitability depends on your specific X-ray findings and clinical examination — Dr TS Gill can assess this at consultation.
