There comes a point where the pain stops being background noise. Climbing stairs takes effort. Getting out of a chair requires a push. A walk to the shop, something that used to take ten minutes, now has to be planned around pain levels and rest stops.

When severe knee arthritis or severe hip arthritis reaches this stage, joint replacement surgery becomes a serious conversation. And increasingly, that conversation includes robotic technology.

Robotic knee replacement and robotic hip replacement are not science fiction. They are a well-established advancement in joint replacement surgery, tools that help surgeons plan more precisely, position implants more accurately, and tailor surgery to each patient's individual anatomy.

What is robotic joint replacement?

Robotic joint replacement, also called robotic arthroplasty, uses a robotic-assisted system to support the surgeon during knee or hip replacement surgery.

It works in three phases:

Pre-operative planning: CT scan or imaging data is used to create a three-dimensional model of the patient's joint, allowing the surgical team to plan implant size, position, and alignment before entering the operating theatre.

Intraoperative guidance: during surgery, the robotic system provides real-time feedback and helps guide bone preparation and implant placement within the pre-set plan.

Surgeon control: the robotic system does not operate independently; the orthopaedic surgeon makes every decision and performs every step; the technology supports precision, not autonomy.

The goal is a joint that fits the patient, not a standard template applied to every person who comes through the door.

Why may joint replacement be needed?

Robotic or otherwise, joint replacement surgery is considered when:

Severe knee arthritis or severe hip arthritis has caused significant cartilage loss.
Chronic joint pain continues despite adequate courses of medicines and physiotherapy.
Mobility is restricted, with difficulty walking, climbing stairs, bending, or standing from a chair.
Sleep is regularly disturbed by joint pain.
Daily activities have become limited or dependent on pain-relief medicines.
Imaging confirms advanced joint damage.

Non-surgical knee arthritis treatment and hip arthritis treatment always come first, physiotherapy, weight management, activity modification, and injections in selected patients. Joint replacement surgery is considered when these options have been genuinely exhausted.

Robotic knee replacement

Robotic knee replacement is used for damaged knee joints, most commonly for advanced knee arthritis causing significant pain and stiffness.

In total knee replacement, the entire joint surface is replaced. Robotic guidance helps the surgeon plan the bone cuts precisely and position the implant to match the patient's individual anatomy and limb alignment.

Who may benefit:

Patients with advanced knee arthritis and chronic knee pain.
Patients with joint deformity affecting leg alignment.
Patients whose anatomy may require more precise surgical planning.
Patients where standard implant positioning carries a higher margin of uncertainty.

The aim is a knee that moves naturally, sits correctly in the joint, and lasts as long as possible.

Robotic hip replacement

Robotic hip replacement addresses damaged hip joints, typically in total hip replacement for severe hip arthritis or other conditions causing long-term hip damage.

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. Implant position affects stability, movement, and leg length. Small errors in cup angle or stem position can affect how the joint functions long-term.

Robotic planning allows the surgeon to pre-set the optimal implant position using the patient's CT data and to confirm intraoperatively that the final position matches the plan.

Who may benefit:

Patients with severe hip arthritis and significantly reduced hip movement.
Patients with hip pain affecting walking, bending, and daily independence.
Patients where anatomy makes standard implant positioning more challenging.
Patients needing advanced hip replacement planning for optimal outcomes.

Robotic arthroplasty vs traditional joint replacement

Traditional joint replacement, using standard instruments and the surgeon's expertise, has an excellent track record and remains appropriate for the majority of patients.

Robotic arthroplasty adds a layer of precision that may benefit specific cases:

Complex anatomy where standard sizing is more difficult.
Advanced arthritis with significant joint deformity.
Cases where implant alignment is particularly critical to long-term function.
Patients where minimally invasive joint replacement approaches are being considered.

The choice between robotic and traditional surgery is not a value judgment. It is a clinical decision made by the orthopaedic specialist based on the patient's joint condition, anatomy, and overall health.

Benefits of robotic joint replacement

Possible benefits of robotic surgery for arthritis include:

More accurate implant positioning: matching the planned position to the patient's specific anatomy

Preserved healthy bone and tissue: robotic guidance supports targeted bone preparation with less disruption to surrounding structures

Better joint alignment: particularly relevant for long-term implant function and mobility after joint replacement

Personalised surgical plan: pre-operative 3D modelling allows individual planning rather than intraoperative estimation

Consistent precision: the robotic system provides real-time guidance that supplements the surgeon's technique throughout.

Knee replacement recovery

Recovery after robotic knee replacement follows broadly the same pathway as traditional surgery.

In hospital:

Pain control and early walking with physiotherapy support within one to two days.
Wound monitoring and blood clot prevention.
Discharge typically within three to five days for uncomplicated cases.

At home:

Continue prescribed exercises without skipping; physiotherapy is critical to regaining movement.
Use a walker or support as advised; avoid falls.
Keep the wound clean and dry; watch for redness, swelling, or discharge.
Take medicines as directed.
Attend every follow-up appointment; implant monitoring matters long-term.
Gradually return to daily activity over three to six months.

Hip replacement recovery

Recovery after robotic hip replacement also mirrors traditional surgery in structure.

In hospital:

Pain management and early mobilisation with physiotherapy guidance.
Movement precautions to protect the new joint in the early weeks.
Discharge based on recovery progress and home safety.

At home:

Follow movement precautions, avoid deep bending, twisting, or crossing the legs as advised.
Continue strengthening exercises consistently.
Use walking aids until the physiotherapy team confirms they are no longer needed.
Attend all follow-up visits; hip replacement recovery is monitored over months, not weeks.

Risks and realistic expectations

Robotic joint replacement is major surgery. The risks are real and discussed individually with each patient.

Possible risks include:

Infection.
Bleeding.
Blood clots.
Implant-related problems or loosening over time.
Stiffness or persistent pain in selected cases.
Anaesthesia-related complications.
Need for revision surgery in rare cases.

Robotic surgery reduces certain technical variables, but it does not eliminate surgical risk, and recovery still depends on the patient's commitment to rehabilitation.

Orthopaedic robotic surgery at Narayana Health

Narayana Health's orthopaedic programme provides specialist-led evaluation and robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery for patients with advanced knee and hip arthritis.

The programme includes pre-operative imaging and 3D surgical planning, robotic arthroplasty in suitable cases, and structured physiotherapy and rehabilitation from day one.

Why choose Narayana Health

Experienced orthopaedic surgeons with specialist expertise in robotic knee replacement and robotic hip replacement.
Advanced imaging and pre-surgical planning for total knee replacement and total hip replacement.
Personalised implant selection and surgical approach based on individual anatomy.
Rehabilitation guidance and long-term joint follow-up.
Integrated care from diagnosis through recovery.

Conclusion

Robotic knee and hip replacement is not about replacing the surgeon; it is about giving an experienced orthopaedic surgeon better tools.

For patients with severe knee arthritis, severe hip arthritis, or complex joint anatomy, that precision can make a meaningful difference to how the joint functions and how long the implant lasts.

The decision to proceed with robotic arthroplasty, or any joint replacement surgery, starts with a specialist evaluation. If joint pain is limiting your mobility, your sleep, or your independence, that conversation is worth having.

Call the orthopaedic team at Narayana Health today at 08068617735.

FAQs for Robotic Knee and Hip Replacement

Is robotic knee replacement better than traditional knee replacement?

Robotic technology may improve surgical precision and implant alignment in selected patients, but suitability depends on individual needs.

Who needs robotic hip replacement?

Patients with severe hip arthritis, chronic pain, and limited mobility may be evaluated for robotic hip replacement.

How long does knee replacement recovery take?

Recovery varies, but many patients resume routine activities within a few weeks, while full recovery may take several months.

Is robotic joint replacement safe?

Yes, robotic-assisted joint replacement is considered safe when performed by experienced orthopaedic surgeons.

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