Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

What is a Hip Replacement?

A hip replacement is a surgical procedure to replace a damaged or dysfunctional hip joint with an artificial joint. This surgery aims to improve the patient's mobility and quality of life.

Robotic Hip Replacement Surgery

The hip joint can be damaged due to reasons such as osteoarthritis, rheumatism, fractures, or impaired blood supply to the femoral head. In these cases, hip replacement surgery becomes necessary. Compared to traditional surgical methods, robotic hip replacement is an approach designed specifically for the patient's anatomy and supported by robotic technology. This technology ensures the correct positioning of the prosthesis, providing better mobility and a long-lasting solution.

How Long Do Robotic Hip Replacement Surgeries Take?

The duration of robotic hip replacement surgeries may vary depending on the complexity of the surgery, the surgeon's experience, and the patient's specific condition. However, in general, these types of surgeries are completed within a certain time frame.

Because robotic hip replacement surgery is more precise than traditional methods, the surgical process may take a little longer. Typically, this type of surgery can take between 1 and 3 hours. However, this time may be extended depending on the patient's specific condition and any difficulties encountered during the surgery.

Robotic surgery is less invasive and allows the surgeon to perform the surgery more precisely and with greater control, so patients generally experience faster recovery times.

Since each patient's situation is different, the duration of the surgery may vary. During preoperative consultations, the surgeon can provide the patient with more detailed information about their specific situation.

Returning to Daily Life After Hip Replacement

After robotic hip replacement surgery, patients usually begin rehabilitation within 4-5 hours. Patients return to their activities faster than with traditional methods, and the use of crutches usually ends within 2-6 weeks.

Success Rate and Usage Period After Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacements can effectively provide movement and function for 15-35 years, regardless of surface selection. Studies have reported that a fully functional prosthesis can be used successfully for more than 15 years, with a success rate of 94-96%.

What is Knee Replacement?

Robotic knee replacement is a method used to relieve pain and movement restrictions associated with advanced knee osteoarthritis. Robotic surgery allows for pre-planning based on the anatomical structure of the knee and ensures the best possible fit between the prosthesis components and the knee anatomy.

Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery

The patient's knee anatomy is determined prior to surgery using computed tomography/MRI or during surgery with navigation assistance, according to robotic software or design, which differs from classic total knee replacement. During surgery, the compatibility of the prosthesis components with each other and with the patient's knee anatomy can be checked at different ranges of motion.

How Long Do Robotic Knee Replacement Surgeries Take?

Robotic knee replacement surgery is performed using robot-assisted systems. The duration of the surgical procedure is generally more standardized thanks to the precision and control provided by robotic systems. A robotic knee replacement surgery typically takes between 1 and 3 hours. However, this time may vary depending on the patient's anatomical characteristics and any difficulties encountered.

The patient is then awakened and begins to recover from the surgery. After surgery, patients can usually begin rehabilitation within a few hours.

Robotic technology optimizes many variables that can affect the duration of surgery, providing more predictable and efficient results.

Returning to Daily Life After Knee Replacement

Rehabilitation begins 4-5 hours after surgery. With the help of a single or double crutch, activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and sitting on the toilet are started on the same day or on the first day after surgery. The crutch is discontinued between 1-6 weeks, depending on the increase in the patient's muscle strength and whether a single or double knee replacement was performed.

Knee Replacement Surgery Success Rate and Usage Period

Knee replacements used today are expected to last between 25 and 30 years after surgery. Patient satisfaction rates and prosthesis durability after knee replacement surgery have been reported to be 95% at 10 years and over 80% in follow-ups lasting more than 20 years.

Why Choose Robotic Surgery?

Robotic surgery is a modern technology used especially in complex and delicate operations. It has many advantages over traditional methods.

Some advantages of robotic surgery are:

• High accuracy: Robotic systems can translate the surgeon's movements with millimeter precision. Robotic surgery eliminates the surgeon's hand tremors and enables more precise incisions during the operation. It also allows the surgeon to view the surgical field in three dimensions and at high resolution. This enables them to distinguish between tissues more clearly and perform procedures with fewer errors.
• Faster recovery: Robotic surgery allows for smaller incisions. This contributes to the patient feeling less pain, having less scarring, and recovering more quickly. Robotic surgical methods allow patients to stay in the hospital for a shorter time compared to traditional methods. This helps patients return to their normal lives more quickly and allows for more efficient use of hospital resources.
• Less risk after surgery: Being less invasive and increasing precision helps reduce the risk of infection and potential complications. In addition, since there is less blood loss, the need for transfusions after surgery is also reduced.

Patients recover faster after robotic surgery. This means less pain and earlier mobilization. A more effective and shorter rehabilitation process allows patients to return to their daily lives more quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Robotic Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

When is a Hip Replacement Needed?

Robotic hip replacement may be considered when hip osteoarthritis causes limited mobility and pain that negatively affects daily activities (such as climbing stairs or putting on shoes) and sleep patterns. This treatment allows patients to recover more quickly and effectively.

When is Knee Replacement Necessary?

Knee replacement is performed when severe deterioration of the knee joint cartilage results in increased pain and decreased joint mobility, affecting the patient's daily activities (difficulty climbing stairs and walking) and sleep patterns.

How is knee replacement surgery performed?

In knee replacement surgery, the damaged knee joint is surgically removed and replaced with an artificial prosthesis made of metal and plastic. The procedure is usually performed under general or epidural anesthesia and takes approximately 1-2 hours.

When does recovery occur after knee replacement surgery?

Patients can usually get up on the first day after knee replacement; returning to daily life takes about 4-6 weeks, while full recovery and complete restoration of mobility takes an average of 3-6 months.

Does hip replacement cause pain in cold weather?

Hip replacement may sometimes cause sensitivity, pain, or stiffness due to cold weather. Pain complaints may increase in cold weather, especially due to decreased circulation and tissue stretching in the surgical area.

Can people with hip replacements have MRIs?

People with hip replacements can usually have MRIs, but whether the replacement is MRI-compatible should be evaluated based on the material it is made of. The doctor should be informed before the MRI, and a decision should be made based on the type of replacement.