As one of the leading orthopedic surgeons in New York and Connecticut, Dr. McLawhorn specializes in minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, specifically robotic hip surgery. He offers the most advanced surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted hip replacement and bikini incision anterior approach surgery.
Dr. McLawhorn focuses on enhancing early recovery and minimizing complications after total hip replacement. As part of his strategy to achieve these goals, Dr. McLawhorn uses robotic technologies, which allow for advanced, 3D pre-surgical planning and accurate execution of the surgery.
What Is Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement Surgery?
Dr. McLawhorn can treat a variety of hip conditions with robotic-assisted surgery, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hip impingement syndrome, osteonecrosis, hip dysplasia, and other medical conditions that cause degenerative hip disease and hip pain and dysfunction.
The most important goals in hip surgery are eliminating pain, restoring function, and expediting recovery. Robotic-assisted surgery can optimize your surgical outcome and help you regain your pre-arthritic quality of life.
Is Robotic Surgery Better?
Traditional hip surgery offers patients a variety of benefits. However, robotic-assisted surgery offers additional benefits as well. These include:
- Improved preoperative planning:Â High-tech 3D imaging allows Dr. McLawhorn to plan the sizing and positioning of the components accurately before surgery, so there are rarely intraoperative surprises. If special implants are needed, these can be anticipated ahead of time.
- Bone preservation:Â Enhanced component placement also helps to preserve more bone.
- Surgical customization: Robotic techniques also allow for customization, which is necessary for every patient’s unique anatomy.
- Greater accuracy in placement:Â Robotics provide the highest level of precision compared to manual techniques, computer-assisted navigation, or intraoperative X-rays.
Lower risk of dislocation:Â Research shows robotic-assisted hip replacement reduces the chance of postoperative hip dislocation, a common cause of implant failure.
- Reduced leg length discrepancy:Â Robotics lower the likelihood of uneven leg length after surgery.
Where Is the Incision Located?
Any surgical approach can be used, such as anterior, posterior, or lateral approaches, so the exact location of the incision may vary between patients. For example, a posterior approach involves making an incision at the back of your hip, whereas an anterior approach is made in the front.
The approach for your hip replacement will depend on your anatomy, weight, and which approach is safest for you. Dr. McLawhorn uses an anterior approach for most patients.
Recovery Period
The actual recovery period depends on several factors, including your age, overall health, and your physical condition prior to surgery. In some cases, patients may recover faster after robotic-assisted surgery. Many patients begin walking the day of surgery, and usually return to normal activities of daily living within several weeks of surgery.Â
Return to non-impact sports (e.g., golf, doubles tennis, paddle tennis, pickleball, etc.) occurs at three months, with unrestricted activity, including running and skiing, at six months after surgery.
Post-Surgery Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Dr. McLawhorn will collaborate with experienced physical therapists to develop your rehabilitation plan. Most patients begin physical therapy within days of surgery to start regaining strength and function.
Your early rehabilitation will emphasize safe walking techniques, gentle range-of-motion exercises, and gradual weight-bearing activities. As your recovery progresses, you’ll be able to do more advanced exercises.Â
A structured therapy program will help you return to your daily activities in several weeks. In about three months, you should be able to play recreational sports, such as golf and pickleball. Full recovery, including unrestricted activities, is typically achieved within six months.
Why Choose Dr. McLawhorn?
Dr. Alexander McLawhorn is a leading expert in hip and knee replacement surgery. He specializes in techniques like robotic-assisted hip replacements, the minimally invasive "bikini incision" approach, and rapid-recovery joint replacement. He completes more than 400 robotic-assisted hip replacements annually and is recognized as the top joint replacement surgeon in New York by volume and experience.
Beyond his surgical expertise, Dr. McLawhorn’s academic background and leadership in research mean you'll be getting some of the most advanced orthopedic care available. A graduate of Yale University and Columbia University’s medical and business schools, he completed his residency and fellowship at the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery, where he now serves as Director of Research and Innovation for Adult Reconstruction. His practices in Manhattan and Stamford, CT, provide personalized care for local, national, and international patients.Â
FAQs
Schedule Your Consultation Today
As an expert in the field of robotic-assisted hip surgery, Dr. McLawhorn understands the complexity of hip surgery, both traditional and robotic. If you are suffering from hip pain that has not responded to conservative treatment, contact Dr. McLawhorn’s New York or Connecticut office at [am_location pid='2484']{tel} [/am_location] or [am_location pid='2490']{tel} [/am_location] to schedule a consultation.
