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 and comprehensive surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted hip replacement and bikini incision anterior approach surgery.
Dr. McLawhorn’s focuses on enhancing early recovery and minimizing complications after total hip replacement. As part of a comprehensive strategy to achieve these goals, Dr. McLawhorn uses robotic technologies, which allow for advanced, 3D pre-surgical planning and precise 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. When it comes to hip surgery, the most important goals are eliminating pain, restoring function, and expediting recovery. Using precise surgical techniques, such robotic-assisted surgery, can optimize your surgical outcome, reduce recovery time, 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: High-tech 3D imaging allows for planning sizing and positioning of the components accurately before surgery so that there are rarely intraoperative surprises. If special implants are needed, these can be anticipated ahead of time.
- Bone preservation: 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.
- Surgical placement of the components is the most accurate and precise with robotics, compared to manual techniques, simple computer-assisted navigation, or the use of intraoperative X-rays.
- Recent research suggests that robot-assisted hip replacement lowers the risk of postoperative hip dislocation, one of the most common complications after hip replacement and a leading cause of hip replacement failure.
- There is also a lower odds of leg length discrepancy after the 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. Return to non-impact sports (e.g., golf, doubles tennis, paddle tennis, pickleball, etc.) occurs at 3 months, with unrestricted activity, including running and skiing, at 6 months after surgery.
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 212-606-1065 or 203-705-2113 to schedule a consultation.
