Robotic systems in total hip arthroplasty--is the time ripe for a new approach?

The technical aspects of manual total hip arthroplasty are briefly described. The development, technique and technical problems of previous robotic systems in total hip arthroplasty are described with special details of the Robodoc--System. Recent advances regarding the minimally invasive technique of total-hip implantation and navigation are described. The current development of a robotic assisted system for total hip arthroplasty is presented. This project aims to combine the advantages of minimally invasive techniques and navigational systems with the accuracy that robotic assisted bone milling can provide. The project-name is RomEo (Robotic minimally invasive Endoprosthetics), the main project partners are the Helmut-Schmidt-University/Hamburg and the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics of the BG Trauma Hospital Hamburg.