Robotic hip replacement

Robotic hip replacement is a modern approach to traditional hip replacement surgery. Like traditional hip replacement, it involves removing damaged hip tissue and replacing it with an artificial joint. However, robotic procedures are performed with assistance from a robotic arm that the surgeon operates to guide surgical cuts and implant alignment.

Robotic-assisted hip replacement offers several advantages over traditional surgery:

• Better surgical planning: Using 3D imaging technology, surgeons can precisely plan the size, type, and placement of your new hip joint before and even during the surgical procedure, ensuring a better fit and outcome.
• Increased precision: Robotic technology enhances your surgeon’s ability to remove tissue and place the implant.
• Improved joint alignment: Robotic tools help your surgeon better align and position the hip implant, ensuring a more natural feel and reducing friction and wear on the joint.

As a leading academic medical center, Penn Medicine uses the most advanced and effective treatment technology, which provides you with the best possible outcomes. Our joint replacement surgeons perform robotic hip replacement surgery using a robotic arm and data system., enhancing their expert skills by helping them make more precise incisions and more accurate placements. They also use computer-navigated hip technology when appropriate, which similarly provides more precise measurements than the eye can see, offering better alignment of the hip implant and reducing the risk of complications. This technology is particularly valuable for patients who have a complicating factor that makes hip replacement surgery more complex, such as deformities, advanced arthritis, or scar tissue from a previous injury.

Robotic hip replacement uses 3D imaging and robotic technology to improve precision during surgery. Before the procedure, a specialized CT scan creates a personalized 3D model of the hip. This helps the surgeon plan the best implant size, placement, and alignment. During surgery, the surgeon uses the robotic arm to guide removal of damaged bone and cartilage based on the pre-set plan. The robotic system provides real-time feedback to keep the surgeon within safe limits. As the implants are placed, the robotic arm assists in precise positioning. 

If you have severe hip damage and pain that interferes with your daily activities and nonsurgical options haven’t helped, it may be time to consider hip replacement surgery. And if you’re a candidate for hip replacement, you may be eligible for robot-assisted hip replacement. Your surgeon will discuss your hip replacement options, including whether robotic joint replacement is right for you.  

Candidates for the robotic option may include: 

• People with advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other degenerative hip diseases 
• People with hip fractures or trauma-induced hip injuries that have led to joint deterioration 
• People in good overall health without serious medical conditions that could increase surgical risks 

Knowing what to expect for your hip replacement surgery can set the stage for a smoother recovery. Steps to take in preparation for hip replacement are the same whether you are having robotic or traditional joint replacement surgery. Your orthopaedic team at Penn Medicine will guide you through each step of the process. 

Before your robotic surgery, you’ll get a CT scan. This is used to create a 3-dimensional virtual model of your unique hip anatomy. Your surgeon will use this model to plan the size, placement, and alignment of your implant.  

To ensure your comfort and no pain during the procedure, you'll receive either general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep, or regional anesthesia, which numbs your lower body. Pain after surgery can vary based on factors like your pain tolerance and overall health. Your Penn Medicine care team will create an effective pain management plan for you to feel comfortable. 

Robotic hip replacement usually takes about one to two hours. During surgery: 

• Tracking pins are placed along your knee and hip that help the robot “see” your anatomy.  
• Your surgeon will make one or more small incisions, about three to six inches long, to access the hip joint. 
• Your surgeon will guide the robotic arm to remove damaged bone and cartilage from the hip. Meanwhile, the robotic system provides real-time data and tactile feedback to help the surgeon stay within the pre-planned boundaries. 
• Damaged bone and cartilage in the hip socket are removed, and the artificial socket is inserted. Then, the femoral head is removed, and the prosthetic ball and stem are inserted. The hip joint is reassembled with the artificial components in place. 
• Before closing the incision(s) with stitches or staples, your surgeon will carefully check the range of motion and stability of your new hip joint. 

After surgery, many patients can go home the day of or the day after surgery, depending on individual factors. Longer term, robotic hip replacement recovery time is generally comparable to traditional hip replacement. The enhanced precision and smaller incisions involved in robot-assisted procedures may contribute to faster healing. Your individual recovery time may vary, influenced by factors such as your overall health and how well you follow your post-surgery physical therapy plan. 

Generally, you can expect to: 

• Use a walker or crutches for about two weeks  
• Stop taking pain medication and possibly be cleared to drive at two weeks post-surgery 
• Be able to resume most daily activities in four to six weeks 
• Return to sports and more vigorous activities in two to three months 

Full recovery may take up to a year. 

Your Penn Medicine care team will monitor your progress, help to relieve discomfort, and make a comprehensive plan for your recovery from hip replacement surgery. 

As part of a large academic research institution, Penn Medicine provides access to the latest innovations in joint replacement. We’re a leading provider of robot-assisted hip replacement procedures. This innovative approach enhances the accuracy of implant placement, helping patients return to an active lifestyle with confidence.  

At Penn Medicine, you can expect: 

• Leading technology: We use advanced robotic systems for precise implant placement and alignment. 
• Experienced surgeons: Our surgeons perform a large volume of hip replacement surgeries each year and are highly trained and certified in robotic-assisted techniques.  
• Innovative pain management: Our goal is to alleviate pain without increasing the risk of opioid overuse and addiction. 
• Comprehensive care: We offer a full range of care, from pre-operative planning through rehabilitation.