Robotic-Arm Assisted Hip Replacement to Get You Back on the Move

Hip replacement is one of the most common forms of joint replacement. Although osteoarthritis is the most common cause of hip pain, there are other conditions that can lead to the necessity for a total hip replacement, including bone tumors, fractures, injury, or trauma.

The hip joint is made up of two bones — the femur (the head of the thigh bone, also called the ball) and the acetabulum (the hip socket). Total hip replacement surgery involves the removal of the damaged joint, followed by the replacement of a prosthetic implant designed to replicate the hip joint. To achieve this, the socket of the old joint must be hollowed out and smoothed to prepare for the implant. Typically, the artificial ball is made of a strong metal and the socket is made of durable plastic (polyethylene).

Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Hip Replacement


In recent years, total hip replacement surgery has become less invasive. And Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital is proud to have been the first in Kansas to offer this groundbreaking Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery technology to improve patient outcomes.

With traditional, non-robotic surgery, positioning of the implant is more difficult. When the implant alignment is off, it can lead to patient discomfort, increased wear-and-tear on the implant components, as well as potential hip impingement or dislocation. With the Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System our surgeons can more accurately position the joint implant.


The Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery System optimizes implant placement through the use of 3D technology and a patient-specific, pre-operative plan. First, a CT scan will be taken of your joint anatomy. From this scan a 3D model of your hip is created, which the surgeon will use to plan your procedure, specifically mapping out the positioning of the implant. During the actual surgery, the system is surgeon-controlled throughout the entire procedure, but is designed to guide the surgeon to stay within the pre-planned area, minimizing the risk of variance.

Robotic-Arm Assisted total hip replacement is an innovative treatment option for adults suffering from either non-inflammatory or inflammatory degenerative hip joint disease. The technology leads to overall better patient outcomes, with patients reporting a faster recovery period, more natural-feeling joint movement, and greater flexibility of the joint.

The Robotic-Arm Assisted total hip replacement procedure may offer the following benefits (1-2):

  • Increased accuracy and reduced relocation rates versus manual total hip replacement
  • Less blood loss
  • Higher function and activity scores compared to manual total hip replacement

Not everyone is a candidate for Robotic-Arm Assisted total hip replacement. Your surgeon will assess your individual condition and help determine the best approach based on your needs.

To discuss whether joint replacement is right for you, call 316-462-5088.

Sources:

  1. Illgen RL, Bukowski BR, Abiola R. Outcomes after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: Manual Compared with Robotic Assisted Techniques.
  2. Illgen R. Robotic Assisted THA: Reduce Outliers and Predictable Outcomes.43rd Annual Course: Advances in Arthroplasty, October 22-25, 2013, Cambridge, MA.

Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital utilizes Mako™ brand Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery Technology by Stryker. For more information on the technology, you can visit Stryker’s website.