The benefits of robotic hip replacement

A hip replacement is a major procedure that can lead to a difficult recovery process for the patient. However, with advancements in surgical technology and techniques, robot-assisted hip replacements are quickly becoming the new standard. In this article, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon explains the benefits of this method over the traditional hip replacement.

Why would a hip need replacing?

The hips are two ball-and-socket joints that connect the thigh bone (femur) with the pelvis, via the top of the thigh bone (femoral head) fitting into a niche on each side of the pelvis (acetabulum). Around and between these two bones are cartilage and lubricative fluid which facilitates smooth movement, and tendons and muscles anchor the bones together.

A hip can be replaced in certain conditions: when the hip has been badly, suddenly damaged in an accident, when the cartilage of the joint has become deteriorated, or when the patient has debilitating arthritis which prevents them from walking, even with aides.

What is the difference between a regular and a robotic hip surgery?

A regular hip replacement involves a surgeon making a large, long incision along the side of the pelvis. The femoral head, which is the ‘ball’ of the socket, is detached from the pelvis and either reshaped (hip resurfacing) or removed entirely. The top of the remaining thigh bone is then fitted with an implant that is made of metal, plastic, and ceramics. In the acetabulum, the ‘socket’, a new receptacle is inserted and secured with medical cement (unless it is for a partial hip replacement, in which case the acetabulum is left untouched as it is still usable).

Robot-assisted surgery entails a robotic apparatus being utilised as part of the planning and surgical process. The robot is not independent, but is a console, operated by a trained surgeon, that has manoeuvrable arms and cameras which provide the surgeon with high visibility, dexterity, and precision.

A robotic hip replacement procedure is slightly different than a traditional one. Before the surgery, detailed scans are taken of the hip with an MRI or a CT scan so that a 3D model can be generated. This gives the surgeons a base to design and calculate the replacement with the patient’s specificities in consideration, and they can plan the entirety of the procedure.

During the surgery, a robot assists with the positioning and acts as a guide for the surgeon, mapping out the anatomy of the hips thanks to information gleaned from the earlier scans. It can tell the surgeon the optimal place to put the incisions and how long to make them; with traditional hip replacements, the scar is around 22cm long, whereas, with robotic assistance, the scar is around 15cm or even less. This is because due to the robot’s strong calculative capability and unfaltering accuracy, the surgeon can better align and position the hip prosthesis, without needing a margin of error and with less soft tissue trauma.

What happens after a robotic hip replacement?

The results of robotic hip replacement are also a benefit of the technique. Because of the smaller incision, post-operative recovery time and pain are much less than with the traditional method. The prosthesis is more likely to be positioned optimally, leaving patients with high stability, a wide range of motion, and feeling more comfortable with their new hips. Patients can return faster to their daily activities and lives, and can engage in the hobbies and sports they enjoy much sooner – though, they are still recommended to undergo physical therapy to strengthen and flex their muscles.

If you are considering a hip replacement, book a consultation with one of our orthopaedic surgeons on Top Doctors.