Computer Navigation Hip Replacement

What is Total Hip Replacement?

Total hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the damaged cartilage and bone is removed from the hip joint and replaced with artificial components. Most of these implants wear with use. Thus, the risk of need for revision surgery is high in young and active people if the implant must last the lifetime of the patient. The life of the implant can be extended by precise alignment of the implant and this can be achieved using computer navigation for total hip replacement surgery.

Indications for Total Hip Replacement

Several diseases and conditions can cause damage to the articular cartilage. Total hip replacement surgery is an option to relieve severe arthritis pain that limits your daily activities.

Computer Navigation for Total Hip Replacement

Computer-navigation provides your surgeon with real time 3-D images of your mapped hip and the surgical instruments during surgery. The data for the images is provided by the infrared sensors fixed to the bones of the hip and the surgical instruments. Their position is tracked by an infrared camera placed above the surgical table connected to the computer. The computer than generates the real-time images with the help of the appropriate software to guide the surgeon to precisely resurface and cut the bones of the hip and fix the implant precisely and accurately according to the pre-operative surgical plan.

The surgery is performed by the surgeon only. Computer navigation is just a tool to guide the surgeon and improve the outcome of the surgery. It cannot replace the skills of an experienced surgeon.