Robotic hip and knee replacement surgery: What you should know

Written by: Mr Asif Parkar
Published: | Updated: 16/08/2023
Edited by: Conor Lynch

The technological advancements that have been introduced into modern-day society have greatly enhanced how surgery can be performed, particularly hip and knee replacement surgery.

 

Highly esteemed consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Mr Asif Parkar explains in detail how exactly robotics are used in hip and knee replacement surgery.

 

Illustration of hip bones

How are robotics used in orthopaedic care and in your practice?

There are different orthopaedic robots available in the market. There is only one that performs on both the hip and the knee. This is called Mako. This is the one I use in my practice. It is used in both hip and knee replacement.

 

Essentially, when you perform a hip replacement, you need the components to perform the replacement to be in an accurate position, to ensure the joint does not dislocate. The robot can accurately tell you the patient’s leg length.

 

The human eye cannot detect one, two, or three millimetres, but the robot can, during the operation, precisely interpret these readings, and can make adjustments accordingly, so that the leg lengths are compatible. The components can then be placed exactly where we want them to be placed because the robot provides us with live feedback.

 

A pre-operative CT scan will be necessary when using this specific Mako robot. Every patient has different bone shapes and sizes, so this specific CT sequence records the patients’ bone morphology.

 

Therefore, before we start the operation, we already know what the patient’s bone size is and what components they will require for an accurate hip replacement to be performed. When it comes to knee replacement, a CT scan will be performed on the patient beforehand. When we make the bone cuts, the bone resection is minimal, and the robot tells you the exact alignment. So, for the knee, we want to balance it, so we will want to see how it is when it is fully bent and when it is straight. They should be equally balanced, and the robot can guide you with this.

 

 

What are the benefits of robotic surgery in comparison with traditional open surgery?

With the robot, you get live feedback during the operation. You thus have the option to make changes as you go along. It is far more accurate when compared with traditional open surgery.

 

 

How is a hip replacement through a direct anterior approach carried out?

When performed on a suitable patient, it is performed through an anterior approach. In the first six weeks, the recovery is much, much quicker, as you are going in between muscle. The component position is very good. The results are almost always good.

 

 

Is the procedure safe?

The procedure is very safe, but we need to be aware of the fact that most of the time, at least two assistants are required for a safe procedure to take place.

 

 

How long does it take to recover?

Recovery is generally quick thanks to the technology used. Patients will typically be fully recovered after six weeks.

 

 

 

Mr Parkar is a highly esteemed consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon who specialises in hip and knee replacement surgery. If you're considering undergoing one of these surgical operations, don’t hesitate to visit his Top Doctors profile today to book a consultation with him

By Mr Asif Parkar
Orthopaedic surgery

Mr Asif Parkar is a leading consultant surgeon in trauma and orthopaedics who sees patients at Harley Street Specialist HospitalSpire Hartswood, Spire East London and BMI London Independent Hospital. His practice is mainly focused on sports knee injuries, ligament reconstruction, partial knee replacement, primary, revision total knee and total hip replacement. Mr Parkar's NHS practice is based at Queen’s Hospital and King George Hospital, London. You can check out patient reviews of Mr Parkar here

Mr Parkar trained through the prestigious Royal London Trauma & Orthopaedic training rotation programme. He has completed fellowships at the Barts Health NHS Trust and Guy’s and St. Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust in London. He also completed a North American fellowship based in Calgary. These are level one trauma centres and tertiary referral centres for complex orthopaedic procedures.

Other than partial (UNI) knee, total knee and total hip replacement, Mr Parkar offers patient-specific treatment to conditions like patella instability and joint preservation surgery such as osteotomy around the knee. He also specialises in sports knee injuries, knee arthroscopy and knee ligament reconstruction. Mr Parkar is one of the few surgeons in the country with fellowship training in performing hip replacement through a direct anterior approach. This is a less invasive technique of performing hip replacement that enables patients to go home the same day. Mr Parkar has a degree in computer and robotic-assisted joint replacement. He keeps himself up to date with modern technology in orthopaedics and has in depth knowledge of the latest innovations in robotic surgery in Orthopaedics. 

He has written several book chapters and he has published his research work in peer-reviewed journals. He has won the NHS innovation prize during his training and also best research prize during his fellowship. He is also the infection control lead for the department and has been actively involved in registrar training. He believes in holistic and evidence-based approach towards patient care. 

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