Development of a surgical robot for cementless total hip arthroplasty.

The long-term success of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) may depend on bone ingrowth into the porous-fixation surfaces of the implant. The ingrowth process is facilitated when the surgeon achieves a satisfactory fit for the prosthesis. Clinically or roentgenographically visible failure and persistent thigh pain after cementless THA remain significant problems, both of which may be alleviated by more precise preparation of the femoral canal and selection of an appropriately sized prosthesis. The objective of this study was to obtain an exact fit for the prosthesis through the use of an image-directed surgical robot for femoral canal preparation.