Accessibility Tools

What is Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement?

Robotic-assisted hip replacement is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves the use of a specialized robotic system to remove the damaged parts of a hip joint and replace them with an artificial prosthesis or implant.

Indications for Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement

Robotic hip replacement may be performed for:

  • Moderate-to-severe arthritis
  • Certain types of hip fractures
  • Hip osteonecrosis (bone death due to inadequate blood supply)
  • Loss of mobility
  • Debilitating hip pain

Contraindications of Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement

You may be ineligible for the procedure if you have:

  • Osteoporosis, which increases the brittleness of the bones
  • Hip joint infection

Preparation for Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement

  • Before surgery, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination to make sure you don’t have any conditions that could negatively affect the surgical outcome.
  • While there are no specific weight restrictions, obese patients have a higher risk of implant failure as well as medical complications and are encouraged to lose weight in preparation for the procedure.
  • Routine tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, are usually performed a week before the surgery.
  • Discuss any allergies that you might have and medications you are taking with your doctor to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery.
  • Prior to the surgery, a CT scan of the hip joint will be taken to create a 3D model of the hip which will be fed into the robotic system to create a detailed preoperative surgical plan.

Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement Procedure

  • The robotic system consists of mechanical arms and camera arms attached to the surgical instruments. The surgeon remains close to the operating table at the computer console controlling the arms of the robotic system while viewing 3-D images of the surgical site through the console.
  • Surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia
  • Use of robotic technology enables the surgery to be performed through small incisions.
  • Based on the pre-operative surgical plan, the robotic system guides the surgeon while making cuts in the bone and preparing the surgical site for the implant.
  • The robotic system ensures a stable environment as well as precise positioning and alignment of implant components to avoid damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
  • The implant is tested for a range of motion and the soft tissues and skin are closed over the new hip with sutures.

Postoperative Care after Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement

The general postoperative care instructions are as follows:

  • Take pain relieving and other medications as advised. Pain-relieving medication should be taken with food. After the first 48 hours of surgery, take the pain medication only when needed.
  • Use ice packs to control swelling. However, make sure that the ice bag does not leak into the dressing. Ice packs can be used liberally for the first 48 hours and even later if required.
  • Keep the dressing clean and dry to promote wound healing.
  • Try to begin physical therapy a day or two after the surgery. Exercises in the first week are usually aimed at regaining joint motion. Strengthening exercises are initiated later. Regular exercises are critical for a successful outcome.

Risks associated with Robotic Assisted Hip Replacement

As with any surgical procedure, the risks and complications include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Delayed healing
  • Failure to heal
  • Formation of blood clots

Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement

The benefits of robotic-assisted hip replacement include:

  • Small surgical incisions and postsurgical scar
  • The robotic arm prevents cutting instruments from moving out of the safe zone
  • Increased accuracy of bone cuts
  • Precise placement of the implant
  • Less bleeding
  • Fast healing after surgery
  • No damage to the tissues surrounding the joint
  • Restores normal function
Locations & Directions
  • Rancho Mirage Office
    39000 Bob Hope Drive
    Harry & Diane Rinker Building
    Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
  • Comprehensive Pain Care Center
    39700 Bob Hope Drive
    Joel M. Hirschberg, MD Building
    Suite 310
    Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
  • Palm Springs Office
    151 S. Sunrise Way
    Suite 100
    Palm Springs, CA 92262-0118
  • Palm Springs Office
    415 S. Palm Canyon Drive
    Suite 200
    Palm Springs, CA 92264
  • LA Quinta Office
    45280 Seeley
    Eisenhower George & Julia
    Argyros Health Center
    2nd floor
    La Quinta, CA 92253
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons logo
  • American Society for surgery of the hand
  • American Medical Association logo
  • California medical association logo
  • American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons logo