When hip arthritis or joint damage continues to interfere with walking, exercise, sleep, or everyday activities despite conservative treatment, hip replacement may become worth considering. At Southern California Orthopedics in Torrance, Dr. John Philip Andrawis evaluates the condition of the joint, your symptoms, imaging findings, and the treatment you have already tried before recommending surgery.

For appropriate patients, Mako robotic-assisted technology can be used during total hip replacement to help plan the procedure around the patient’s anatomy. The system uses a preoperative CT scan to create a 3D model of the hip, giving Dr. Andrawis detailed information for planning implant size, position, alignment, and other aspects of the procedure.

Mako does not perform the operation on its own. Dr. Andrawis remains in control throughout surgery, using the robotic arm and its haptic guidance to carry out the surgical plan. The technology is a surgical tool, and whether it is appropriate depends on the individual patient and the condition of the hip.

How Does Mako Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement Work?

Traditional and robotic-assisted hip replacement share the same basic goal: replacing damaged portions of the hip joint to reduce pain and improve function. The difference with Mako is in how the procedure is planned and how the technology assists the surgeon during surgery.

Mako SmartRobotics combines CT-based planning with surgeon-controlled robotic assistance. The process begins before the day of surgery.

Creating a 3D Model of Your Hip

Every hip has slightly different anatomy. Before a Mako-assisted procedure, a CT scan captures detailed information about the joint.

Mako software uses those images to build a 3D virtual model. Instead of planning from standard measurements alone, Dr. Andrawis can evaluate the patient’s individual anatomy before entering the operating room.

The model provides information about the femur and acetabulum, the socket portion of the hip joint, and helps guide decisions about the planned implant.

Planning the Procedure Before Surgery

Dr. Andrawis uses the 3D model to develop the surgical plan. This includes decisions about implant size, component positioning, alignment, and leg length.

Having that information available before surgery does not eliminate the need for surgical judgment. The plan provides a detailed starting point that can be evaluated and adjusted as necessary based on what Dr. Andrawis finds during the procedure.

Using Surgeon-Controlled Guidance During the Operation

One of the most common misconceptions about robotic-assisted surgery is that a robot performs the operation.

It does not.

Dr. Andrawis controls the robotic arm throughout the procedure. Mako’s haptic technology provides feedback and creates boundaries based on the surgical plan, helping guide bone preparation within the planned area.

The technology assists the surgeon rather than replacing the surgeon’s experience or decision-making.

Also Read: Restoring Movement: What Causes Hip Arthritis and How Replacement Surgery Restores Mobility

Who May Be a Candidate for Mako-Assisted Hip Replacement?

Mako technology does not determine whether you need a hip replacement. That decision comes first.

Hip replacement is generally considered when joint damage is causing substantial pain or loss of function and conservative treatments are no longer providing adequate relief. An examination and imaging help determine how much damage is present and whether surgery is appropriate.

Conditions that may eventually lead to total hip replacement include:

• Advanced osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease with significant cartilage loss
• Rheumatoid arthritis that has damaged the hip joint
• Avascular necrosis, in which reduced blood supply damages the femoral head
• Post-traumatic arthritis following a previous fracture or injury
• Hip pain or stiffness that substantially interferes with walking and daily activities

Having one of these conditions does not automatically mean you need surgery. Symptoms, imaging findings, overall health, mobility, and response to previous treatment all contribute to the decision.

Many patients begin with nonsurgical care such as medication, activity modification, physical therapy, or injections when appropriate. When those approaches no longer provide sufficient relief and joint damage is affecting daily life, Dr. Andrawis can discuss whether total hip replacement should be considered.

Mako-Assisted vs. Conventional Hip Replacement

Mako-assisted and conventional hip replacement are both established surgical approaches. The main difference is not the purpose of the operation but the tools the surgeon uses to plan and perform it.

With Mako, planning begins with a CT-based 3D model of the patient’s hip. That model allows the surgeon to plan component positioning according to the patient’s anatomy before surgery.

During the procedure, haptic guidance helps the surgeon work within the boundaries of that plan. Dr. Andrawis remains responsible for the procedure and makes the surgical decisions.

Conventional hip replacement does not use the same CT-based robotic platform. Surgeons instead rely on established manual instrumentation, imaging, anatomical landmarks, and their clinical judgment to position the implant.

Robotic assistance should not be viewed as making conventional hip replacement obsolete or automatically producing a better result. Both approaches can be appropriate. The question is which surgical method makes sense for the individual patient.

What Are the Potential Advantages of Mako-Assisted Hip Replacement?

Patients sometimes hear the word “robotic” and assume it means a smaller operation, a faster recovery, or a guaranteed improvement in results. That is not the best way to understand Mako.

Its primary role is to provide additional information and guidance for surgical planning and execution.

Patient-Specific Surgical Planning

The CT-based model gives Dr. Andrawis a detailed view of the patient’s hip anatomy before surgery. This allows implant size and positioning to be considered in relation to the individual joint rather than relying on standard measurements alone.

That planning can be particularly useful because factors such as hip anatomy, component orientation, and leg length need to be considered during total hip replacement.

Guidance During Implant Positioning

The surgical plan does not disappear once the operation begins. Mako provides intraoperative guidance that helps Dr. Andrawis carry out the planned bone preparation and component positioning.

Haptic boundaries provide feedback as the robotic arm is guided during the procedure. This adds another layer of information while keeping the surgeon in control.

An Approach Built Around the Individual Hip

Hip replacement is not simply a matter of selecting an implant and putting it in the same position for every patient. Anatomy varies, and surgical planning needs to account for those differences.

The Mako platform allows planning to begin with a model created from the patient’s own CT scan. That individualized planning is one of the central reasons the technology may be considered for an appropriate hip replacement candidate.

Also Read: Osteoarthritis and Joint Damage: Why Early Treatment Can Delay or Prevent Surgery

Does Robotic Assistance Mean a Faster Recovery?

Not necessarily.

Recovery after total hip replacement depends on much more than whether robotic assistance was used. Age, overall health, muscle strength, the condition of the joint before surgery, the surgical procedure, and rehabilitation can all influence how recovery progresses.

Movement often begins the day of surgery or the following day, depending on the patient’s condition and surgical plan. Physical therapy and rehabilitation then focus on gradually restoring mobility, strength, and gait.

Some patients may return to certain activities sooner than others. Driving, work, exercise, and recreational activities should be resumed according to individual recovery rather than a fixed calendar.

Dr. Andrawis can give you a more useful estimate after evaluating your hip and discussing the procedure being considered.

What to Expect From the Mako Hip Replacement Process

Knowing what happens before and after surgery can make the decision easier to understand. The process begins with determining whether hip replacement is appropriate at all.

Step 1: Hip Evaluation

Dr. Andrawis evaluates your symptoms, joint function, range of motion, and imaging. He also considers the nonsurgical treatments you have already tried and how much the hip is affecting daily activities.

If surgery is not appropriate yet, other treatment options can be discussed.

Step 2: CT-Based Planning

If Mako-assisted total hip replacement is selected, a CT scan is used to create the 3D model of your hip.

Dr. Andrawis uses the model to plan the procedure, including implant sizing, component positioning, alignment, and leg-length considerations.

Step 3: Mako-Assisted Surgery

During surgery, Dr. Andrawis controls the robotic arm while using the preoperative plan and intraoperative feedback as guides.

The system’s haptic technology helps define the planned boundaries for bone preparation. Dr. Andrawis continues to make the surgical decisions throughout the operation.

Whether hip replacement is performed on an outpatient or short-stay basis depends on the patient’s health, procedure, recovery immediately after surgery, and other clinical considerations.

Step 4: Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation begins according to your individual condition and surgical plan. Early recovery generally focuses on safe movement and walking, followed by progressive work on strength, mobility, and function.

Recovery does not look identical for every patient. Dr. Andrawis and the rehabilitation team can provide guidance as you progress and determine when it is appropriate to resume specific activities.

Is Mako-Assisted Hip Replacement Right for You?

The presence of advanced hip arthritis does not automatically make Mako the right surgical approach. It also does not mean surgery is the only option.

The first question is whether the condition of your hip and the severity of your symptoms justify replacement. If they do, the next conversation is about the surgical approach.

Your overall health, anatomy, imaging findings, previous treatment, activity goals, and other clinical considerations all play a role. Dr. Andrawis can explain the options after evaluating the joint and determine whether Mako-assisted hip replacement is appropriate for your situation.

For some patients, robotic assistance may be useful. For others, a different surgical approach may make more sense. The technology should fit the treatment plan, rather than the treatment plan being built around the technology.

Also Read: Sleeping After Total Hip Replacement: Tips for Comfort and Healing

Hip Replacement Care With Dr. John Philip Andrawis

Dr. John Philip Andrawis is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with years of experience in adult reconstruction and joint replacement. His approach begins with determining why the hip hurts, how much joint damage is present, and whether surgery is appropriate.

When Mako-assisted hip replacement is selected, the technology becomes one part of that surgical approach. Dr. Andrawis uses the CT-based planning system and surgeon-controlled robotic guidance to assist with planning and component positioning while remaining in control of the operation.

Southern California Orthopedics serves patients from its Torrance locations on Crenshaw Boulevard and Hawthorne Boulevard, providing access to hip evaluations, surgical consultations, and follow-up care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mako Hip Replacement

What Is Mako Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement?

Mako-assisted hip replacement combines a patient-specific 3D model created from a CT scan with surgeon-controlled robotic technology. The model helps the surgeon plan implant size and positioning, while haptic guidance assists with carrying out the surgical plan during the procedure.

Does the Mako Robot Perform Hip Replacement Surgery by Itself?

No. Mako does not operate independently. Dr. Andrawis controls the robotic arm and makes the surgical decisions throughout the procedure. The technology provides planning information and haptic guidance to assist the surgeon.

Who May Be a Candidate for Mako-Assisted Hip Replacement?

Patients with significant hip joint damage from conditions such as advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, or post-traumatic arthritis may be evaluated for hip replacement when symptoms continue despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment. An examination and imaging are needed to determine whether replacement is appropriate and whether Mako assistance makes sense for the individual patient.

What Is the Difference Between Mako-Assisted and Conventional Hip Replacement?

Mako-assisted hip replacement uses a CT-based 3D model for patient-specific planning and provides haptic guidance during surgery. Conventional hip replacement relies on established manual surgical techniques and instrumentation without the Mako robotic platform. Both approaches can be appropriate, and the choice depends on the patient’s anatomy, condition, and surgical plan.

How Long Does Recovery Take After Mako-Assisted Hip Replacement?

Recovery varies by patient. Movement may begin the day of surgery or the following day, while strength, mobility, and function continue to improve over the weeks and months that follow. Return to driving, work, exercise, and other activities depends on individual progress rather than robotic assistance alone.

Is Mako-Assisted Hip Replacement Covered by Insurance?

Coverage depends on the patient’s insurance plan, medical necessity requirements, and other policy criteria. Hip replacement may be covered when an insurer’s requirements are met, but coverage for an individual procedure should be confirmed directly with the insurance plan and the practice.

Find Out Whether Mako-Assisted Hip Replacement Is Right for You

When hip damage has reached the point where everyday movement is becoming difficult, choosing treatment involves more than deciding whether to have surgery. The condition of your joint, the severity of your symptoms, and the surgical approach all deserve careful consideration.

At Southern California Orthopedics in Torrance, Dr. John Philip Andrawis can evaluate your hip, review your imaging, and discuss whether total hip replacement is appropriate. If surgery is recommended, he can also determine whether Mako robotic-assisted technology fits your individual surgical plan.