What is the Optimised Positioning System (OPS)? How precision technology is transforming hip replacement

Hip replacement surgery is one of the most successful orthopaedic procedures, helping thousands of people each year regain mobility and reduce chronic pain. The Optimised Positioning System (OPS) is an advanced surgical planning and guidance technology designed to improve the precision of hip replacement surgery by tailoring implant positioning to an individual patient's anatomy and movement patterns. By enabling a more personalised approach, OPS aims to reduce the risks associated with implant misalignment, improve joint function, and support better long-term outcomes for patients.

Why precision matters in hip replacement surgery

Hip replacement surgery involves removing damaged sections of the hip joint and replacing them with artificial components. Traditionally, surgeons have relied on pre-operative imaging, anatomical landmarks, and intraoperative judgement to determine the ideal position of these components.

While modern hip replacement surgery achieves excellent outcomes for most patients, every individual's anatomy, posture, and movement patterns are unique. Small differences in implant positioning can influence how the joint functions after surgery.

According to the National Joint Registry, well over 100,000 hip replacement procedures are performed annually across the UK. As the number of procedures continues to grow, technologies that enhance surgical accuracy are becoming increasingly important.

How hip replacements are normally conducted

Before surgery, patients typically undergo clinical assessment and imaging studies to evaluate the condition of the hip joint. During the operation, the damaged ball-and-socket joint is removed and replaced with artificial components designed to restore movement and relieve pain.

The conventional process generally involves:

• Pre-operative X-rays and clinical planning
• Selection of appropriately sized implants
• Surgical placement using anatomical reference points
• Assessment of stability and leg length during surgery
• Final verification before wound closure

Although experienced surgeons achieve highly reliable results, conventional methods often depend on static imaging and anatomical averages rather than accounting for how an individual patient's pelvis and spine move during everyday activities such as sitting, standing, and walking.

The limitations of traditional positioning techniques

One of the challenges in hip replacement surgery is that the hip joint does not function in isolation. The pelvis, spine, and lower limbs all work together during movement.

Traditional planning methods typically assess anatomy in a limited number of positions. As a result, they may not fully capture the dynamic relationship between the spine and pelvis throughout daily activities.

Potential limitations include:

• Variations in pelvic tilt between sitting and standing
• Differences in spinal mobility between patients
• Difficulty predicting functional movement patterns
• Reliance on standard positioning targets rather than personalised measurements

These factors can make it more challenging to determine the optimal implant position for every individual patient.

Risks associated with implant misalignment

Accurate implant positioning is a critical factor in achieving a successful outcome. While modern surgery has significantly reduced complications, implant misalignment remains a recognised concern.

Potential consequences may include:

• Increased risk of hip dislocation
• Premature implant wear
• Reduced range of motion
• Persistent discomfort
• Leg length discrepancy
• Higher likelihood of revision surgery

Research has consistently highlighted the importance of factors that contribute to implant longevity and patient satisfaction. Although many variables influence outcomes, precise component positioning is widely recognised as one of the most important controllable factors during surgery.

What is the Optimised Positioning System (OPS)?

The Optimised Positioning System (OPS) is an advanced planning and guidance approach that uses detailed imaging and motion analysis to create a personalised surgical plan for hip replacement patients.

Rather than relying solely on standard anatomical measurements, OPS assesses how an individual patient's pelvis and spine move in different functional positions. This information allows surgeons to develop a highly customised strategy for implant placement.

The technology is designed to answer a key question: where should the implant be positioned to work best for this specific patient during real-life activities?

By incorporating patient-specific movement data, OPS seeks to improve the accuracy of implant alignment beyond what may be possible using conventional planning techniques alone.

How OPS is used during hip replacement surgery

The OPS process begins before the operation itself.

Patients undergo specialised imaging and assessment that captures information about their anatomy and movement patterns. Advanced software then creates a three-dimensional model and generates a personalised surgical plan.

The process typically includes:

• Detailed pre-operative imaging
• Assessment of spinal and pelvic movement
• Creation of a patient-specific 3D model
• Development of customised implant positioning targets
• Use of surgical guidance tools during the procedure

During surgery, the surgeon follows the personalised plan to position the implant components as accurately as possible.

This approach helps ensure that implant orientation reflects the patient's unique biomechanics rather than relying exclusively on standard positioning guidelines.

Potential benefits for patients

As orthopaedic surgery continues to evolve, technologies such as OPS represent an important step towards more personalised treatment.

Potential benefits may include:

• Greater surgical precision
• Improved joint stability
• Reduced risk of dislocation
• Better restoration of natural movement
• Increased patient satisfaction
• Potentially improved long-term implant performance

Many patients are now seeking procedures that are tailored to their individual anatomy and lifestyle requirements. Precision planning technologies align with this growing emphasis on personalised medicine.

Osteoarthritis remains one of the leading reasons for hip replacement surgery in the UK. As demand for treatment continues to increase, innovations that improve surgical accuracy may help optimise outcomes for a growing number of patients.

The future of personalised hip replacement surgery

The Optimised Positioning System represents a significant advancement in hip replacement surgery by combining detailed imaging, biomechanical analysis, and personalised surgical planning. Traditional hip replacement techniques have delivered excellent results for decades, but they can be limited by the challenges of accounting for each patient's unique anatomy and movement patterns. OPS addresses these challenges by helping surgeons position implants with greater precision based on how an individual patient functions in everyday life. As precision technologies continue to develop, personalised approaches such as OPS are likely to play an increasingly important role in improving stability, function, and long-term outcomes following hip replacement surgery.