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Hip replacement surgery is an operation to treat hip pain. It is a major operation but one that's both common and successful. At Circle Health Group our experienced consultants perform thousands of hip replacements each year.
During the procedure, an orthopaedic surgeon will remove your damaged hip joint and replace it with a prosthesis. This is sometimes referred to as an implant or as 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, you’ve landed in the right place. 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®. You'll also find lots of relevant information on our specific page about total hip replacement surgery.
The cost of a hip replacement starts at about £13,000.*
However, the exact price you pay will depend on various factors, including which hospital you choose and the details of your surgery. Robotics-assisted surgery is usually more expensive than traditional surgery.
Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant’s outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 14.9% APR.
If you have private health insurance, speak to your insurer directly to find out. if robotic surgery is covered by your provider.
*This is a guide price for patients who are paying for their own treatment. The actual cost of your treatment will be confirmed in writing at the time of booking.
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. You'll sometimes hear it referred to as wear and tear hip arthritis, and it's more common the older we get. The wear and tear can make your joint very painful and stiff and can really reduce your mobility.
This is the most common type of arthritis both in the UK and worldwide and it is the most common reason why people have 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 during contact sports, but they 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. It's 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 Circle Health Group, our consultant orthopaedic surgeons use the Mako® surgica; 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:
Reduced risk of complications
Choosing Mako® could reduce your risk of post-surgical complications including dislocation and misalignment.
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.
Reduced risk of complications
Choosing Mako® could reduce your risk of post-surgical complications including dislocation and misalignment.
Mr Martin Mitchell, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Albyn Hospital, shares his advice on the benefits of robotics-assisted surgery. Mr Mitchell is fully certified to perform both hip and knee replacements using the Mako® system. He says:
"I would absolutely recommend this technology to my patients or family members. Mako® allows us to perform joint replacements with more accuracy than with conventional techniques. This should reduce complication rates, and I believe it will help to improve the lifespan of the joint replacement."
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Rakesh Kucheria from The Princess Margaret Hospital offers expert information on robotics-assisted surgery. He says:
"Total hip replacement surgery involves removing arthritic bone and damaged cartilage from your hip joint, and replacing it with an artificial implant. Robotics-assisted surgery individualises this surgery for each patient.
"The patient has a CT scan done pre-operatively, which is used to create a personalised surgery plan. In the operating room, the surgeon uses the robotic arm to help prepare the hip socket and then position the implant according to the pre-operative plan.
The robotic technology improves the accuracy of this positioning, encouraging greater alignment. This can lead to reduced issues with leg length and dislocation and will hopefully increase the longevity of the implant."
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.
Melanie's symptoms began as pain that travelled from her back down her leg, causing her to walk with a limp. After reaching the point where she just "couldn't carry on", Melanie had an X-ray to understand why she was in so much pain. She was shocked to discover that her pain was caused by extensive damage to her hip joint and immediately sought treatment at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester. Within two weeks, Melanie was seen by orthopaedic consultant Mr Winston Kim, and only a month after her diagnosis she underwent Mako® robotic-assisted hip replacement surgery to reduce her symptoms and restore function to her hip.
"Treatment at The Alex was a very friendly experience. I had so much reassurance at my pre-assessment, and everyone was warm, pleasant, and helpful. To have Mr Kim as my surgeon gave me total confidence that I was going to get better."
When sharing the benefits of the Mako® system, Mr Kim says: "it provides so much more information than was previously available to surgeons, combining 3D technology with CT scanning, helping us construct a tailored surgical plan before surgery, and operate as precisely as possible."
Melanie was extremely impressed by the quality of care she had at The Alex, noting that she was "placed at the heart of her care", and always reassured by her team. She had intensive physiotherapy with her dedicated physiotherapist after the operation, who supported her at every step of her recovery journey, as well as regular follow-up appointments with Mr Kim to monitor her recovery. Now, Melanie walks without pain and is overjoyed to be back living her life to the full. She would recommend the surgery and Mr Kim to anyone experiencing similar issues with their hip.
Scroll down to watch Melanie talk more about her story.
Mako® robotic-arm assisted hip surgery is currently available at:
- The Albyn Hospital - 21-24 Albyn Place, Aberdeen.
- The Alexandra Hospital - Mill Lane, Cheadle.
- Bath Clinic - Claverton Down Road, Combe Down, Bath
- The Princess Margaret Hospital - Osborne Road, Windsor.
- The Beardwood Hospital - Preston New Road, Lancashire.
- Woodlands Hospital - Morton Park, Darlington.
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
We answer some of your frequently asked questions about robotics-assisted surgery
What is a robotic hip replacement?
Robotic hip replacement surgery is a hip replacement surgery performed with the the use of a robotic surgical system. This system helps your consultant perform the surgery more precisely and accurately than is possible with traditional methods.
What is the recovery time for robotic hip replacement?
This differs from person to person depending on factors such as your age, general health and wellbeing, and the reason for you having surgery. Most people recover from robotic surgery faster than traditional surgery, because it takes a more personalised approach.
Most people can get back to their usual everyday activities between six and twelve weeks after surgery. For a detailed, accurate recovery timeline based on your need, speak with your consultant.
Read our guide to recovering from hip replacement surgery.
Is robotic hip replacement minimally invasive?
The surgery is considered minimally invasive because it uses small incisions.
Is robotic hip replacement surgery better than traditional surgery?
Traditional hip replacement surgery is a highly effective form of treatment for people with hip pain, but robotics-assisted surgery comes with a range of added benefits and enhancements, including longer-lasting results and a tailored approach that helps your consultant perform the procedure with increased accuracy and precision.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
- Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
- 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 0141 300 5009.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in May 2022. Next review due May 2025.
- Mako Total Hip, Stryker
- Mako Robotic Arm Assisted Hip Replacement – A Patient Guide, Carrothers Orthopaedics
- Hip replacement, NHS
- Hip Replacement Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Hip Replacement, HSS
