Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital performs first robotic assisted front-approach hip replacement

Mr Jose Blanco, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and the Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital team have recently performed their first front-approach hip replacement procedure using the Mako robotic arm system.  Mr Blanco is currently the only surgeon in the East of England to carry out the ‘muscle saving’ Direct Anterior Approach with the assistance of this state-of-the-art robotic technology within private healthcare and the NHS.

The Mako robotic arm is a precision tool used by our highly qualified team of surgeons helping to improve the accuracy of hip, knee and partial knee replacement surgeries.  Hip replacement surgery can be performed either by making a cut into the side or back of your hip (posterior hip replacement) or the front (anterior hip replacement). 

The Direct Anterior Approach is a technique used by Mr Blanco to access the hip from the front allowing him to reach the hip joint without cutting through muscle tissue.  The robotic arm guides the surgeon's movements enabling a high degree of precision and accuracy. Compared to traditional surgery, Mako robotic-assisted surgery can also help to significantly reduce pain after surgery and allow a faster recovery. 

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Jose Blanco

Mr Blanco said “I have been doing the Direct Anterior Approach for total hip replacements for nearly a decade. MAKO is the next step, a robotic assistant that allows me to plan, and then execute, a highly personalised plan for each patient.  

I am very lucky to work with such professional colleagues in theatre, the ward and in rehab.  This is what allows us to optimise every step of the pathway, innovate and improve outcomes.  I am really proud of the work we do!”