The Elective Orthopaedic Centre at Orpington Hospital has become the first NHS centre in South East London to introduce robot-assisted surgery, marking a significant step forward in the delivery of orthopaedic care.
The hospital has invested in the Stryker Mako robotic-arm surgical system, an advanced technology designed to support surgeons performing total hip, total knee and partial knee replacement procedures. By combining detailed pre-operative imaging with real-time surgical guidance, the system aims to improve precision, protect healthy tissue and enhance patient outcomes.
Using a patient's pre-operative joint scan, the technology creates a personalised surgical plan that maps the ideal position for the implant. During the operation, surgeons receive tactile feedback from the robotic arm while removing damaged bone, helping to preserve surrounding healthy tissue. Advanced cameras continuously track movement throughout the procedure, instantly adapting to any changes in position and enabling surgeons to maintain a high level of accuracy.
The introduction of robotic-assisted surgery reflects the growing role of innovation and digital technology in modern healthcare, with orthopaedic teams at Orpington Hospital undergoing specialist training to bring the service to patients across the region.
Abhinav Gulihar, Clinical Director of Orthopaedics at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“This is a really exciting time for the Orthopaedic team at Orpington Hospital, with many team members who have been training to use this technology for years.
“Initially, our robotic surgery will focus on knee and hip replacement procedures, but as more of our clinical teams complete their training, we hope to expand the service and offer robotic-assisted surgery to all patients undergoing joint replacement (arthroplasty) where it is clinically appropriate.”
Orpington Hospital is a specialist, purpose-built facility managed by King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, providing planned inpatient and day-case bone and joint surgery. The orthopaedic service expects to carry out around 100 procedures each year using the new technology.
Patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery are expected to benefit from more accurate implant placement, faster rehabilitation and shorter hospital stays, supporting the NHS's wider ambitions to improve patient experience and clinical outcomes.
Matthew Trainer, Chief Executive of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added:
“Innovation is at the heart of what we do here at King’s, so it’s great to see the Orthopaedic team at Orpington excelling in that. It is the result of hard work by a fantastic team who have put our patients first. We can now build on that by educating and training the next generation of specialists in this very exciting field.”
The introduction of robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery further strengthens Orpington Hospital's position as a leading centre for planned bone and joint procedures, while creating new opportunities for clinician training and the development of specialist expertise across South East London.
Image credit: Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
