Robotic orthopaedic surgery - Mako, ROSA, Cori, Navio.

Prices vary by hospital, implant brand and robotic platform. Revision cases sit at the top of the range. Physiotherapy is often a separate line item.

• End-stage knee osteoarthritis

  Bone-on-bone changes on X-ray with pain and stiffness that limit walking, sleep or work - the core indication for total or partial knee replacement.

• Isolated single-compartment knee arthritis

  Medial or lateral or patellofemoral disease with the other compartments intact - a robotic partial knee is often the elegant answer.

• End-stage hip osteoarthritis

  Groin pain, stiffness and reduced walking distance with X-ray-confirmed joint space loss - the classic hip replacement indication.

• Post-traumatic arthritis of the knee or hip

  Arthritis after a previous fracture or ligament injury, sometimes with retained metalwork - robotic planning helps navigate distorted anatomy.

• Avascular necrosis of the femoral head

  Collapsed femoral head in a younger patient - robotic total hip with precise cup positioning matters for long-term wear.

• Leg-length discrepancy correction

  Robotic hip replacement is particularly good at reproducing pre-planned leg length and offset within 1–2 mm - useful when there is significant pre-op inequality.

• Complex primary arthroplasty

  High BMI, previous surgery, unusual anatomy or dysplasia where a conventional operation would rely more heavily on intra-operative judgement.

• Red flag: hot swollen joint with fever

  A joint that is hot, swollen and painful with fever - septic arthritis or infected implant needs same-day A&E, not a private elective clinic.

• Big joint replacement, done as gently as possible

  Robotic assistance does not change the fundamentals - this is still major surgery with real recovery. Plan on 6–12 weeks off strenuous work and 3–6 months for full performance return.

• Bleeding, transfusion and clots

  Transfusion rates are low (under 5 percent for primary arthroplasty). DVT prophylaxis with stockings, mechanical devices and pharmacological agents is standard.

• Infection is the feared complication

  Prosthetic joint infection occurs in about 1 percent of primaries. Modern laminar-flow theatres, prophylactic antibiotics and dental clearance for hips reduce risk further.

• Nerve and vessel injury are rare

  Femoral, sciatic or peroneal nerve injury under 1 percent. Vascular injury is very rare. Meticulous exposure and robotic haptic boundaries reduce both.

• Alignment accuracy is the point

  Robotic and navigated arthroplasty consistently place components within a few degrees and millimetres of plan - the mechanism by which better long-term function is achieved.

• Function benefit is real but modest

  Randomised trials show slightly less early pain, quicker recovery of milestones and improved component alignment with robotic vs conventional. Long-term revision-rate differences are still being studied.

• Not everyone needs a robot

  A high-volume conventional surgeon delivers excellent results too. Robotic assistance shines in complex primaries, partial knees and hip planning - not every straightforward primary total knee.

• Post-op physiotherapy determines outcome

  The single strongest predictor of a good functional result is engagement with physiotherapy - 3–5 sessions a week for the first 6–12 weeks.

• Red flags after surgery

  Fever, spreading redness, calf swelling, sudden breathlessness or severe pain unresponsive to analgesia need the same-day team or A&E, not a routine call.