Robotic Hip Replacement (MAKO)
If you’re suffering from hip pain, hip replacement may be a viable solution. Hip pain can be chronic and is often caused by degenerative joint disease. There are different types of degenerative joint disease. The most common types include osteoarthritis (OA), post-traumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), avascular necrosis (AVN), and hip dysplasia. LALL Orthopedics + approach to patient care is to treat the patient’s condition as minimally invasively as possible. In some instances, medication or conservative treatments may be sufficient to resolve your pain. However, if these non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, Robotic Hip Replacement (Mako) may be indicated.
Robotic Hip Replacement (Mako) may be an option if hip pain:
- Persists, despite pain medication
- Worsens with walking, even with a cane or walker
- Interferes with sleep
- Affects the ability to walk up or down stairs
- Makes it difficult to rise from a seated position
The hip joint consists of a ball (at the top of the femur, also known as the thigh bone) and a socket (in the pelvis, also known as the hip bone). During hip replacement, a surgeon removes the damaged sections of the hip joint and replaces them with artificial implants. This artificial implant restores natural function and resolves the pain associated with the damaged joint.
Mako robotic arm assisted surgery uses the most advanced guidance technology to perform hip replacement with greater accuracy and efficacy. Here is a list of the most common benefits:
- More accurate placement and alignment of hip implants based on the surgical plan.
- Less likelihood of hip instability
- Reduced blood loss.
- Replication of the feeling of a natural hip.
- Preservation of healthy bone.
- Quicker recovery
It’s important to understand that robotic technology is not autonomous. The surgery is performed by your surgeon, who is always in complete control of the robotic system. The surgeon guides the robotic-arm during the surgery to position the implant in the hip joint. The Surgical System also allows your surgeon to adjust your plan during surgery as needed.
- Personalized surgical plan – Prior to surgery, a CT scan of your hip joint is taken to generate a 3D virtual model of your unique anatomy. The 3D model helps your orthopedic surgeon see things he or she cannott typically see with an x-ray alone. This additional information helps your doctor determine the optimal size, placement, and positioning of your implant.
- Range-of-motion assessment – Throughout your procedure, Mako provides real-time data to your surgeon. This allows them to continuously assess the movement and tension of your new joint and adjust your surgical plan if desired.
- Arthritic bone removal – In the operating room, your surgeon guides Mako’s robotic arm to remove the arthritic bone and cartilage from the hip. A virtual boundary provides tactile resistance to help the surgeon stay within the boundaries defined in your surgical plan.
- Implant placement – As the surgeon prepares to place the implant into its final position, the robotic-arm guides the implant at the desired angle defined in the surgical plan. This helps ensure the placement and alignment of the implant are performed according to plan.
Robotic hip replacement surgery is an advanced blend of surgical skill and knowledge of technology. There are very few surgeons worldwide who develop this skill set due to the prolonged educational learning curve. Dr Lall performs robotic hip replacement via both the direct anterior and posterolateral approaches, and is one of few surgeons in the US who regularly utilize the enhanced software intraoperatively.
Dr. Ajay C. Lall is a former dual sport NCAA collegiate athlete (football and track & field), American board certified, triple fellowship-trained expert orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip arthroscopy and robotic hip replacement. He treats non-athletes and athletes at all levels of play from collegiate to professional to the Olympic level. Dr. Lall is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon who cares for all patients like family. Contact LALL Orthopedics + to schedule a consultation, receive the correct diagnosis, and undergo state-of-the-art treatment options.
At a Glance
Ajay C. Lall, MD, MS, FAAOS
- Board Certified – Orthopedic Surgery
- Triple Fellowship Trained
- Performs over 750 Surgeries Per Year
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