ROBOT-ASSISTED HIP REPLACEMENT PERTH

Patient overview:

Robotic Hip Replacement Surgery –
Explanation, advantages, pain management, rehabilitation & risks.

 

Australian Academy of Robotic
Orthopaedic Surgeons

Robot-Assisted Hip Replacement Specialists

Robotic Hip Replacement Surgery

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Individual results vary. Speak to your doctor about the surgical advantages and risks to decide if robotic joint replacement surgery is right for you.

*To view all references and statistics visit – Stryker.

*Mako Robotic Surgery Advantages:

PATIENT SPECIFIC SURGICAL PLANNING

MORE PRECISE BONE CUT

MORE PRECISE PROTHESIS PLACEMENT

ASSISTS IN BALANCING THE SOFT TISSUES AROUND THE KNEE

REDUCED TISSUE WOUNDS & SCARRING

REDUCED REHABILITATION TIME

“We aim to provide you with personalised and unique medical care and ensure you fully understand your diagnosis and treatment options.”

Please feel free to ask any questions and bring a family member or friend along for support.

Australian Academy of Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeons
Robotic Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists.

Access the buttons below to be taken to the relevant hip replacement information:

What is Total Hip Replacement Surgery?

What is Total Hip Replacement Surgery? – Total Hip Replacement Surgery involves replacing a damaged or worn hip with an artificial hip joint called a prosthesis.

Hip replacement prothesis can be of metals such as stainless steel and titanium, ceramics, highly engineered polyethylenes and cements made of acrylic polymer.

A common hip replacement procedure takes 1-2 hours and may consist of:

  • An incision over the front or side of the hip, through the layers of tissue

  • Removal diseased and damaged bone and cartilage

  • Implantation of the prosthetic socket into your pelvic bone, to replace the damaged socket

  • Replace the round ball on the top of the femur with the prosthetic ball, which is attached to a stem that fits into the thighbone.

What is the Best Hip Replacement Surgical Approach?

The are a number of surgical approaches that can be used in a Total Hip Replacement. The best one will depend on your particular circumstances and the outcome you desire from your surgery.

The decision regarding the most suitable total hip replacement approach best suited to you occurs after a detailed two-way consultation with you, your surgeon and a thorough analysis of:

  • Your expectations of surgery

  • Your bone anatomy (Bone – shape, size and density)

  • Anticipated level and nature of post-surgical activities

  • The underlying cause for you needing a Total Hip Replacement.

Your surgeon will discuss the options available to you and give you all the information you need to help you make a decision.

Robot-Assisted Hip Replacement Surgery

What is MAKO Robot-Assisted Total Hip Replacement

MAKO Robot-Assisted Total Hip Replacement uses state of the art software and robotic arm to plan and undertake the surgery and accurately position the hip replacement components.

The state of the art technology minimises surgical error in bone cutting and prosthesis component positioning.

This helps with accurate leg length equality without the need to use an X-ray machine in theatre, reducing the risk of infection.

In the long-term, accurate component positioning facilitates less wear and prolongs the prosthetic components.

How Does Mako Robot-Assisted Technology Help During Hip Replacement Surgery

A CT scan (a series of x-rays) is taken of the patients hip joint and is used to generate a 3D virtual model of the patients unique hip anatomy. The virtual 3D model is loaded into the Mako system software and is used to create the personalised pre-operative plan.

Prior to surgery the surgeon reviews the implant size and placement of the prothesis, if necessary the surgeon modifies the pre-operative plan to help control important measures of hip stability.

During surgery the surgeon places navigation pins in the iliac crest of pelvis and femur bones with infrared trackers to give the robot information about the exact location of the hip and to register the femurs anatomy in the Mako system. This process establishes the relationship between the patients hip and femur and the 3D model created during the pre-operative plan.

Once the anatomy is registered to the 3D model, your surgeon has the flexibility to modify the plan based on their assessment of the patients hip anatomy.

During surgery, the surgeon guides the robotic arm to remove the damaged bone and cartilage from the hip and femur. The robot provides a virtual boundary and tactile resistance to prevent the surgeon from removing more than the damaged bone and cartilage identified in the pre-operative plan. The Mako system shows the surgeon visual information on screen in relation to how much bone and cartilage to remove. Collectively this process helps provide more accurate bone cuts and placement of the implant. 

The MAKO system and robotic arm assists the surgeon in performing controlled and accurate preparation of the hip socket and the insertion of the implant to go into its final position in the hip joint.

Compared to alternative techniques evidence shows that MAKO Robot-Assisted Total Hip Replacements:

  • Are more Bone Conserving ie less bone is removed (better potential outcomes for future revision procedures).

  • Results in a more ‘natural feeling hip’ as evidenced by the ‘Forgotten Hip Score’

  • Has a lower hip dislocation rate post surgery

  • Results in better functional outcome at 12 months post-surgery compared to other hip replacement techniques.

Advantages of Robot-Assisted Hip Replacement Surgery

The MAKO Technology and Robotic-Arm allows for:

1. Personalised Surgical Plan

Before surgery, a computerised tomography scan (CT scan) of your hip is taken to develop a 3D virtual model of your unique joint. Your doctor uses this model to evaluate your bone structure, disease or injury severity, joint alignment and even the surrounding bone and tissue, to help determine the optimal size, placement and alignment of your prothesis.

2. Range-of-motion Assessment

Throughout your procedure, Mako technology provides real-time data to your surgeon. This allows them to continuously assess the movement and tension of your new prothesis, and adjust your surgical plan if desired.

3. Improved Accuracy

Bone cutting and removal – In the operating room, your surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm to remove the damaged bone and cartilage from the hip and femur. The robotic arm precisely cuts the bone ends and allows for accurate placement of the hip replacement prosthetic. A virtual boundary provides tactile resistance to help the surgeon stay within the boundaries defined in your personalised surgical plan.

4. Optimal Implant Placement

The Mako Technology also assists in the accutate placement and alignment of the femoral (thigh bone) prothesis component and the hip prothesis component. This approach allows smoother joint movement throughout the full range of motion preventing overloading of other parts of the new hip joint. It also aids in balancing the soft tissues around the hip and helps protect the soft tissues and ligaments during surgery.

5. Reduced Recovery Times

The robotic-assisted procedures allow for greater precision and may lead to shorter recovery times as a result of more accurate and less cutting of tissue. The smaller incisions can reduce the pain and increase the comfort during recovery post surgery.

*MAKO Robot-Assisted technology research data

Mako data shows it has a lower revision rate than the same components implanted using any other hip replacement techniques.

Evidence also exists to show patients undergoing MAKO Robot-Assisted Hip Replacement commonly have:

  • Less post-operative pain and stiffness

  • Decreased pain medication requirements

  • Faster rehabilitation times

  • Increased range of movement

  • A shorter hospital stay

  • Higher patient satisfaction scores.

Pain Management

After Robot-Assisted Hip Replacement Surgery

Patients may still experience some mild discomfort. Most patients are generally encouraged to stand and walk within hours of surgery. Please report your pain levels and discomfort to the nursing staff.

In recent years Anaesthetists who specialise in pain management and control have substantially improved pain management in relation to Hip Replacement surgeries.

There have been major advancements in multi-modal pain management techniques that substantially reduce the pain discomfort from surgery and post-operative recovery. When combined with the post-operative data of MAKO Robot-Assisted Hip Replacement technology patients may experience less pain and require less post-operative pain medication as a result in less soft tissue ‘cutting’ which translates to less pain.

A pain management plan will be discussed with you in depth before and after your operation to ensure you are comfortable throughout your recovery and rehabilitation.

If you have any questions, or would like to book an appointment, or find out about our location details, please contact the team at the Australian Academy of Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeons.

How Long Will it Take to Recover from Robotic Hip Surgery?


Recovery times may vary from patient to patient for a number of reasons including age, current heath, muscle and bone strength and commitment to rehabilitation amongst many other factors.

Moving post surgery – Most patients may be able place some weight on the hip and walk with assistance (when safe to do so) 4-6 hours after surgery. Movement and slight weight bearing on your hip soon after surgery is encouraged.

Physiotherapy recovery program – You will see a physiotherapist and be prescribed a rehabilitation program after your surgery. Prior to discharge you will be given exercise instructions and practice on how to best perform daily activities including climbing stairs, getting into and out of cars etc.

Hospital stay length – Your hospital stay is usually 1-3 days. It may be longer depending on your individual circumstances.

Movement after surgery – Moving around with crutches is recommended for the first two weeks for comfort, safety and confidence. The crutches can be discarded as soon as you are confident to do so.

Will I need time off work – Depending on occupation you may require 2-6 weeks off work. You can be driven in a car as a passenger immediately on discharge from hospital.

Driving – Patients managed by anterior approach surgery can drive a car when they feel confident but no earlier than 2 weeks after their surgery (4 weeks for posterior approach surgery). Patients MUST be able to perform an Emergency Stop and short car trips only are recommended initially. The decision to drive after surgery remains the responsibility of the patient.

Air travel – Air travel may be undertaken soon after you are cleared by your surgeon.

Robotic Hip Replacement Perth – Rehabilitation 

Rehabilitation is a major element in determining a successful outcome of Hip Replacement Surgery. Rehabilitation is driven by physiotherapist professionals and the hard work and dedication of the patient to get back to normal activities as fast as possible. The rehabilitation process starts the day of the surgery and is an ongoing process for at least 6 months.

The rehabilitation program may help with:

  • Reducing post-operative pain and stiffness

  • Decreasing pain medication needs

  • Reducing soft tissue healing times

  • Shortening your hospital stay

  • Increasing the range of movement

  • Getting back to everyday activities faster

  • Higher levels of patient satisfaction.

Your hip rehabilitation program will be discussed in depth with your surgeon and physiotherapist and designed to meet your specific needs and concerns.

What Activities can I Return to After Rehabilitation? 

What activities can you perform after a Total Hip Replacement Once recovered and rehabilitated, there are very few restrictions on activity after a Total Hip Replacement. You can participate in activities such as walking, cycling, skiing and tennis.

Some activities may place the joint replacement at risk (for example extremes of joint flexion and rotation in some advanced yoga postures) – if you are unsure please check with us prior to recommencing your desired activity.

Running and impact sports – High impact pursuits such as running cannot be performed for 6 months after surgery. Your suitability for returning to running activities depends on the nature and intensity of the sport you are undertaking and the type of prosthetic implant you have.

Hip monitoring – Monitoring how your hip replacement performs overtime is essential to ensure it is functioning correctly. Follow up appointments will be scheduled with your doctor soon after surgery. Routine check-ins will be discussed with your doctor. 

Hip Replacement – Risks and Complications

Hip replacement risks – Hip replacement surgery is safe and complications are uncommon.

Here are some statistics on hip replacements:

  • Serious wound infection occurs in less than 1% of patients.

  • Dislocation occurs in less than 1% of people managed by direct anterior approach hip replacement (3% for posterior approach).

As with any major surgery, there are potential risks involved. The decision to proceed with the surgery is made because the advantages of surgery outweigh the potential disadvantages. It is important that you are informed of these risks before the surgery takes place.

Complications can be medical (general) or local complications specific to the hip. Medical complications include those of the anaesthetic and your general well being. Almost any medical condition can occur so this list is not complete.

Complications may include:

  • Blood loss requiring a transfusion

  • Allergic reactions to medications

  • Infection

  • Blood clots

  • Knee stiffness

  • Wear and tear

  • Bone breaks

  • Different cosmetic appearance

  • Ligament injuries

  • Wound infection

  • Leg length inequality

  • Nerve damage

  • Nerve and blood vessel damage

  • Other complications

Serious medical problems can lead to ongoing health concerns, prolonged hospitalisation or rarely death.

If you have any questions, please contact the team at the Australian Academy of Robotic Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Robotic Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists.

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