Is it time to consider robotic hip replacement?
When hip arthritis starts stealing your sleep, your walks and your independence, a robotic-assisted hip replacement can offer a level of precision that helps give them back. Mr Ashwin Unnithan is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with excellence in offering robotic surgery, and he reviews your imaging with you at consultation, discussing every option honestly – including whether robotic assistance is genuinely the right fit for your anatomy, rather than a default upsell.
As a minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgeon with over ten years’ experience, Mr Unnithan uses robotic-assisted techniques alongside conventional total hip replacement, selecting whichever approach – or blend of both – gives you the most accurate, well-balanced hip reconstruction, using implants with excellent long-term performance recorded on the National Joint Registry.
You might recognise these signs
- Night pain that disturbs your sleep
- Struggling with shoes and socks
- Walking distance shrinking month by month
- Painkillers no longer working
If these signs sound familiar, a consultation will clarify whether robotic hip replacement is a suitable option for you.
What is robotic hip replacement?
Robotic-assisted hip replacement uses a 3D CT-based model of your own hip to plan implant size, position and alignment before you ever reach theatre. During surgery, robotic guidance helps Mr Unnithan execute that plan with a high degree of accuracy – supporting correct leg length, joint stability and cup positioning, which are among the most common sources of dissatisfaction after conventional hip replacement when not carefully controlled.
It is important to understand what robotic surgery is, and isn’t: the robot does not operate independently. Mr Unnithan performs every step of the surgery; the technology simply provides real-time data and precision guidance to support his surgical decision-making.
Why choose Mr Ashwin Unnithan for robotic hip replacement in Wimbledon?
- Genuine robotic expertise
one of the practice’s defining strengths is excellence in offering robotic surgery, built on fellowship training at the Bristol Hip Unit and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
- Minimally invasive approach
a dedicated minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgeon, aiming to reduce soft-tissue disruption and support faster recovery.
- High-volume, senior surgeon
over a decade as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, managing complex cases including revision hip replacement, so straightforward robotic cases are approached with deep underlying expertise.
- Prefer a conventional approach?
Our total hip replacement page explains the standard technique in detail.
- Honest patient selection
not every hip needs robotic assistance; Mr Unnithan will tell you plainly whether it will meaningfully benefit your case.
- Accessible to Wimbledon patients
based in nearby Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, with appointments usually available within days and no GP referral needed for an initial consultation.
- Professional standing
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and member of the British Orthopaedic Association and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
At a glance
Your treatment journey
Consultation & imaging
X-rays, a thorough examination and an honest discussion of all your options, including whether robotic assistance suits your case.
Planning
A personalised 3D robotic surgical plan is built from your own CT scan, mapping implant size, position and leg length in advance.
Surgery & recovery
Most patients stay 1–2 nights in hospital, walking the same or next day, supported by an enhanced, minimally invasive recovery pathway.
Rehab & follow-up
Structured physiotherapy and scheduled reviews track your recovery until you’re confidently back to daily life and activity.
Frequently asked questions about robotic hip replacement
What is robotic hip replacement, in simple terms?
It is a hip replacement carried out with the help of a robotic-arm system, which uses a 3D scan of your own hip to guide implant position and alignment more precisely during surgery.
Is robotic hip replacement more accurate than conventional surgery?
Robotic guidance allows implant position, sizing and leg length to be planned in 3D before surgery and then executed with high precision, which can support more consistent component alignment than manual instrumentation alone.
Does robotic hip replacement hurt more than conventional surgery?
No – if anything, the minimally invasive techniques often used alongside robotic assistance are aimed at reducing soft-tissue trauma, which can support a more comfortable early recovery.
Am I a candidate for robotic hip replacement?
Most patients needing a hip replacement are potential candidates, though suitability depends on your individual anatomy and bone quality. This is assessed properly at consultation, using your imaging.
How is robotic hip replacement different from robotic knee replacement?
Both use the same 3D-planning and robotic-guidance principle, but the hip procedure focuses on cup and stem positioning and leg length, while robotic knee surgery focuses on alignment and soft-tissue balance. Mr Unnithan performs both.
Will I need physiotherapy after robotic hip replacement?
Yes. Robotic precision supports the surgery itself, but structured physiotherapy remains essential to regain strength, movement and confidence afterwards.
How quickly can I be seen for a consultation?
Appointments are usually available within days, and no GP referral is required for an initial consultation.
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