Mako SmartRobotics™ technology helps your surgeon plan and perform joint replacement with exceptional precision, tailored to your unique anatomy.
What is Mako SmartRobotics™?
Mako SmartRobotics™ is an advanced surgical technology that helps your orthopaedic surgeon plan and perform joint replacement procedures with a high level of precision.
Using a detailed 3D CT scan of your joint, Mako creates a personalised surgical plan tailored to your unique anatomy. During surgery, the system provides real-time guidance to help your surgeon remove only the damaged bone and place your implant with accuracy.
It’s important to know that your surgeon is always in control. Mako simply provides an extra layer of information and support to help them work with greater confidence and consistency.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of robotic assisted surgery?
Robotic-assisted surgery offers many benefits, and for most patients the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Advantages
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Personalised planning - This does require a CT scan of your joint to provide your consultant with more detailed views and combined with the software enables them to create a more bespoke surgical plan.
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More precise removal of damaged bone while protecting healthy tissue - the technology guides your surgeon to highlight the damaged cartilage and bone, to be excised with visibility of the non-affected areas which can be preserved.
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Consistency - real-time data supports confident decision-making during surgery.
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Potential for faster recovery –patients may require shorter hospital stays, fewer rehabilitation sessions, and often return to normal activities sooner.
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Higher patient satisfaction rates - many partial-knee replacement patients report less postoperative pain.
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Lower revision rates – potential lower revision rates.
Disadvantages
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Not suitable for everyone - your surgeon will assess whether robotic-assisted surgery is appropriate for your joint based on the level of bone affected, or previous surgery.
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CT scan required – adding an extra step before surgery.
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Availability - not all hospitals offer robotic-assisted procedures.
As with any surgical approach, individual results may vary due to factors including your health, activity level, and rehabilitation, whether you choose robotic‑assisted or a more traditional joint replacement surgical technique.
What is the difference between robotic assisted surgery and traditional surgery?
For conventional joint replacement a surgeon uses manually operated instruments and high powered tools to remove the damaged tissue/ bone making decisions based on x-rays and their visual assessment of the joint with the benefit of years of experience.
Robotic-assisted surgery adds:
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A detailed 3D CT-based plan that gives your surgeon information they cannot get from an X-ray alone
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Real-time data during surgery
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A robotic arm that helps your surgeon stay within the planned boundaries
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Enhanced accuracy in implant placement
It is important to understand that your surgeon remains fully in control and makes the decisions in both approaches. Robotic assistance simply provides additional tools to support precision and consistency.
MakoSmart Robotics™ and total hip replacement
Mako SmartRobotics™ brings added precision and personalised planning to total hip replacement. It helps your surgeon perform the procedure with accuracy tailored to your unique anatomy.
What to expect with a total hip replacement with Mako SmartRobotics™ assistance?
During a total hip replacement with Mako SmartRobotics™, your surgeon uses advanced 3D planning and robotic-arm assistance to perform the procedure with added precision.
Before surgery, a CT scan is used to create a detailed 3D model of your hip, helping your surgeon understand your unique anatomy and plan the exact size, placement, and alignment of your implant.
In theatre, the robotic-arm technology provides tactile resistance and real-time data to help your surgeon stay within the planned boundaries and position the implant accurately.
Throughout the procedure, your surgeon remains fully in control while being supported by technology designed to provide more information to support accuracy and protect healthy bone and soft tissue.
Benefits of a total hip replacement with Mako SmartRobotics™ assistance
With Mako SmartRobotics™, patients may benefit from:
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A personalised surgical plan created from a 3D virtual model of your hip, giving your surgeon a clearer understanding of your anatomy than an X-ray alone
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More precise bone preparation supported by robotic-arm guidance, providing more detail to remove the optimum bone while saving healthy bone and tissue.
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Tactile resistance for added safety, which helps your surgeon stay within the planned boundaries and inform the surgical plan
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Optimal implant positioning, guided by detailed pre-operative planning and robotic-arm assistance
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Real-time data during surgery, allowing your surgeon to assess how your new joint moves and feels and make adjustments if needed
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A smoother, more predictable recovery, which may help your return to daily activities with improved comfort and confidence compared to traditional surgery.
What does recovery look like after Mako SmartRobotics™ total hip surgery?
Recovery after Mako SmartRobotics™ total hip surgery focuses on helping you regain your mobility in a safe, supported way.
Many patients begin moving with assistance soon after surgery, and physiotherapy typically starts early to help strengthen your hip and restore movement.
Often people return to everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and driving within three to six weeks, depending on their progress and their surgeon’s guidance.
Your care team will tailor your rehabilitation plan to your needs and monitor your recovery closely.
As with any surgery, individual results vary, but the aim is to help you return to daily life with improved comfort, stability, and confidence.
Mako SmartRobotics™ Assisted Hip Surgery at Ramsay Health Care UK
We understand the debilitating nature of hip pain which may be putting your life on hold. Our aim is to provide you with fast and convenient appointments for the diagnosis and treatment of your hip problem so that we can quickly lessen your pain and get you moving again.
If you have been reccomended by your doctor or surgeon for hip replacement surgery and interested in finding out more information about Mako SmartRobotic surgery, contact us today to speak to our friendly enquiry team and to book an appointment.
FAQs
