Robotic Hip Replacement in Greece

What robotic assistance does in the hip

A pre-operative CT scan is used to build a three-dimensional model of the hip. On that model the surgeon plans implant size, the inclination and anteversion of the acetabular cup, offset and leg length. During surgery a robotic arm or a navigation system guides bone preparation and component placement so that the plan is reproduced. The surgeon performs every step of the operation; the system assists, it does not decide.

Why implant positioning matters

Most long-term problems after a hip replacement can be traced back to component position. A cup placed outside the safe zone increases the risk of dislocation and of uneven wear of the liner. Incorrect offset changes the tension of the abductor muscles and causes a limp. Leg-length discrepancy is one of the most common complaints after the operation. Accuracy is therefore not a detail: it determines stability, function and how long the implant lasts.

Robotic surgery or the ASI method?

They are not rival approaches — they share the same goal. The ASI method reaches the hip from the front, through the natural interval between muscles, with the patient supine and without any muscle or tendon being cut. Precisely because the patient lies on the back, the surgeon can use intraoperative fluoroscopy to check cup position, offset and leg length against the healthy hip in real time, before the wound is closed. In other words, it achieves an objective check of accuracy while preserving the soft tissues — something that robotics alone does not offer.

What the evidence shows

Studies show that robotic assistance reduces deviations in cup position compared with the conventional “by eye” technique. However, no superiority has been demonstrated in clinical outcomes, pain or implant survival over a technically sound operation with fluoroscopic control. It also increases operating time, radiation from the pre-operative CT scan and cost. The technology improves consistency — it does not replace the experience of the surgeon.

What this means for you

Instead of looking for a particular machine, ask your surgeon how they objectively check component position and leg length, how many of these operations they perform each year and what their own results are. A second opinion before surgery is always a good idea. Book an appointment for an assessment.