Mako robotic-arm assisted hip surgery in Manchester

Hip replacement surgery is an operation to treat hip pain. It is a major operation but one that's both very common and successful. At The Alexandra Hospital our experienced consultants perform hundreds of hip replacements each year.

During the procedure, your surgeon will remove your damaged hip joint and replace it with a prosthesis. This is sometimes referred to as an implant or an artificial hip. The prosthesis is usually constructed of metal, ceramic, plastic, or a combination of the three.

If you are living with a painful hip joint that's affecting your quality of life, we're here to help. Hip replacement surgery could be the best treatment option to help you take control of your health and get you back on your feet, doing the things you love.

This page focuses specifically on robotics-assisted hip replacement surgery using MAKO®.

There are many reasons why you might need hip replacement surgery. These include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is when the smooth cartilage across the surface of your hip joint wears down over time. Sometimes referred to as wear and tear hip arthritis, it's more common the older we get. The wear and tear can make your joint painful and stiff and can significantly reduce your mobility.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis both in the UK and worldwide and it is the most common reason why people need hip replacement surgery.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) currently affects more than 400,000 people in the UK. It is an inflammatory joint condition caused by an autoimmune process, which happens when your body attacks its healthy cells by mistake. This often causes pain, swelling, and inflammation in your joints. Joints affected by RA are commonly surrounded by inflamed tissue, which often results in chronic pain.

 

A hip fracture

A hip fracture is when a crack occurs at the top of your thigh bone (femur). Hip fractures are usually caused by a traumatic injury such as an injury, but can sometimes happen because of a condition that weakens your hip bone, for example osteoporosis.

 

Septic arthritis

This is a much less common form of arthritis. Septic arthritis is a severe joint infection that can be caused by a traumatic injury to your joint, including a bite or wound. It can also happen as the result of an infection following surgery. Septic arthritis requires immediate medical attention. The damage caused by septic arthritis can lead to the need for hip replacement surgery.

There is a broad range of symptoms that could indicate you need hip replacement surgery. These include:

• Hip or groin pain
• Hip pain when exercising and walking
• Hip pain during sex
• Stiffness and restriction of movement
• Hip pain when walking
• Hip pain at night
• An inability to support your bodyweight on one leg
• Limited relief from other treatment options

The Mako® surgical system is an innovative robotic tool that allows your consultant to perform hip replacement surgery with greater accuracy and precision than is possible with traditional techniques.

What is a robotic hip replacement?

If you’re considering hip replacement, the Mako® robotic-arm assisted surgical system could be the solution for you.

The idea of ‘robot surgery’ may sound daunting, but a robotic hip replacement is still carried out by orthopaedic surgeons. The technology is there to aid doctors – not replace them – and is still guided by their hands.

In the case of hip replacement surgery, the technology allows for more accuracy and precision than traditional methods. Mako® is a robotic arm that works in tandem with your surgeon, combining innovative technology with the skills and expertise of your consultant. The system also uses a CT scan to build a customised 3D digital model of your hip to determine the right size and shape of implant for you.

At The Alexandra Hospital, our consultant orthopaedic surgeons use the Mako® surgical system because it offers patients a faster recovery time from hip replacement surgery, as well as long lasting results.

There are various benefits to robotic-arm assisted hip replacement surgery with Mako®. These can include:

Less time in the hospital

You could be back in your own home faster with Mako®.

Reduced damage to healthy tissue and ligaments

Mako® creates a virtual boundary for your surgeon to use during the procedure.

By following this, they can be more precise in their removal of bone and cartilage, avoiding damage to the healthy parts of your hip.

A better-feeling, better-functioning hip

Studies show that robotic-arm assisted hip replacement surgery leads to better functional outcomes.

People who have had robotic-arm assisted hip replacements have found their new joints more natural-feeling and have been more satisfied overall.

Every individual’s knee replacement recovery time looks slightly different. It will be affected by factors including:

• How active you were before having knee replacement surgery
• Your usual everyday activities
• The nature of your job (i.e. whether you have an active job or a desk job)
• Your age

A robotic knee replacement recovery timeline will look slightly different to a traditional knee replacement recovery timeline. Your orthopaedic surgeon will understand your personal circumstances and health better and be able to advise what your personal knee surgery recovery timeline looks like.

You can find more details on our knee replacement surgery page.

Complications can occur during any surgery. Potential complication during any surgical procedure include: 

• Pain
• Infection in the surgical wound
• Excessive bleeding
• Scarring
• Blood clotting
• Chest infection
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Specific complications that can occur during a hip replacement surgery (traditional and robotics-assisted surgery) include:  

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Fracture
• Damage to your nerves
• Damage to blood vessels
• Infection in your hip

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 4948.