Studies will determine efficacy of robotic joint replacements

[RESEARCHERS FROM the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham and the University of Warwick are trialling the use of robots in hip replacement surgery for the first time. The aim of the trial is to determine whether using robots results in better outcomes from hip replacement surgery. Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common operations performed by the NHS.

The world-first RACER-Hip study has received £1m funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and, alongside the existing RACER-Knee study announced last year, will give new insight into the value of robotic assisted surgery in the NHS. It will be run jointly between Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham.

The study is being led by two surgeons: Mr Peter Wall, from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham and Warwick Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Warwick (pictured right discussing the trial with TV’s Dr Xand) and Professor Ed Davis from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham.

In robotic assisted hip replacement surgery, a robotic arm prepares the bone and inserts the components to a pre-programmed threedimensional plan. It is thought using a robot to perform the surgery allows more precise, consistent surgical techniques and this may help to reduce variation and prevent poor outcomes and complications that can require ‘redo’ surgery.

Mr Wall said: “The RACER-Hip study is a significant investment by the NHS to examine the effectiveness of robotic hip replacement surgery. Robotic technology has the potential to revolutionise hip replacement surgery; however the first step to this is understanding whether it can help enhance the care surgeons provide. We are really excited that some centres such as Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have been provided with a robot specifically to take part in this research.”

Professor Davis added: “The research will help orthopaedic surgeons across the world to better understand the most effective tools for performing hip replacement surgery and ensure the very best outcomes for their patients. This study will also include an in-depth health economic analysis to inform the NHS if this technology should be widely adopted.”

Equal numbers of participants will be randomised to each treatment group to find out which surgical technique results in better outcomes. That will include asking questions about people’s ability to complete activities and their quality of life in the long term and will also find out which method provides the best value for the NHS.

The team will invite patients from at least six NHS hospitals across England and Scotland to take part over the coming months. The first site has opened at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, while the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has just taken delivery of one of the robots for the trial. The manufacturer of the robot, Stryker, will be supporting the study costs to ensure hospitals do not have to pay extra to take part.

RACER-Hip joins the RACER-Knee study which began recruitment 12 months ago and is helping answer the same questions for knee replacement surgery.

The RACER studies represent a substantial investment of over £3m pounds by the NHS to help establish the effectiveness of robotic joint replacement surgery. Leading professional bodies including the Royal College of Surgeons, British Hip Society and British Association of Knee Surgery all recognise the importance of and support the research initiative, which will see the UK lead the way in research in robotic joint replacement surgery. q