What is robotic-assisted hip replacement?
It's common to have hip replacement surgery using a robotic arm. During surgery, damaged bone is replaced with an implant. This implant works like a natural hip joint. A robotic arm controls parts of the surgery. That helps the surgeon do a more accurate job.Benefits of robotic-assisted hip replacement
- Safer surgery
- Quick healing
- Smaller incisions
- Reduced bleeding
- Restored leg length
- Precise joint placement
- Less damage to surrounding areas
A healthy hip is important to your well-being. Arthritis or a hip injury may cause severe pain and reduce your ability to move around. When a non-surgical treatment can't relieve pain, a total hip replacement may help. A robotic arm helps hip surgery in three ways:
- Virtual surgery: a surgeon can conduct a run-through before the real surgery.
- In surgery: a robotic arm positions a piece of equipment with great precision, preventing the surgeon from going outside the surgical area.
- 3-D modeling: a 3D model of the joints is uploaded to the robotic arm computer and makes cuts with pinpoint accuracy during surgery.
Using a robotic arm reduces the risk of a misplaced joint during hip replacement.
What to expect during robotic-assisted hip replacement
You go under anesthesia that puts you to sleep for the surgery. Your surgeon makes a small incision above your hip and removes the damaged parts of the joint. They then insert the artificial hip joints. Surgery takes about two to four hours. There's little blood loss during robotic arm surgery. However, you can donate your own blood if it's needed during the operation.Using a robotic arm during surgery may mean quicker healing time. The robotic arm's precision helps protect surrounding soft tissue and muscle. That means there's less to heal. You may need to wear compression stockings to reduce blood clot risk. You may need blood thinning medication, too. At the beginning of recovery, try light exercises. Slowly move up to low-impact activities, such as walking or dancing.
Your doctor has you start physical therapy exercises after your surgery. These help you regain full motion in your leg.
Common conditions requiring robotic-assisted hip replacement
Arthritis is the most common condition that damages a hip joint enough that it needs a replacement. Other conditions that can damage hips include:
- Fractures
- Bone growths
- Trauma or injury
- Wear and tear due to age