Robotic Total Hip Replacement

Hip replacements are a great operation to help with arthritic joint pain thats affecting your daily activities. We do have non operative methods that can help in the early stages, but once established arthritis sets in, a joint replacement is a very reproducible procedure.

When it comes to the approach for the hip, more evidence is emerging on the potential benefits of a direct anterior approach with a reduced complication profile of dislocation rate and infection, and less pain for the first few months. We offer direct anterior muscle sparing minimal invasive hip replacements to appropriate patients to help their recovery and reduce their complication profile.

Positioning of the implants is important to make sure the hip is stable and doesn’t dislocate out of the socket, and to ensure the final leg lengths are equal. To assist this we use modern technology with the Mako robot. Prior to surgery we get a CT scan to ensure we have a virtual 3 Dimensional of your personal hip joint, then we plan positioning of the implants looking at how flexible your spine is and seeing how the pelvis tilts and the implants move in virtual positioning software. During surgery we use haptic technology to guide bone removal and implant positioning, with evidence showing improved accuracy[1] and benefits of a quicker recovery and improved early functional outcome when compared to manual techniques.[2]

After surgery we would expect you to be in hospital 2-3 days, walking with crutches until weeks 2-3, a single stick for support until week 6, then walking without aids. Most of the discomfort and swelling will have resolved by week 4, but wont completely settle until 3-4 months.