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Robotic Hip Replacement in Honolulu

Serving Honolulu and urban Oahu. Robotic-assisted hip replacement pairs precise 3D planning with the muscle-sparing anterior (bikini) approach — designed for accurate implant positioning and a faster, more confident recovery.

Request an Appointment → Call (808) 439-6201
Honolulu clinic

Ala Moana Medical Building, 1441 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 2020

  • Anterior (bikini) muscle-sparing approach
  • Robotic 3D planning for leg-length & alignment
  • Cementless, biologic fixation options
  • Same-day discharge for eligible patients
Dr. Paul Norio Morton, MDWritten and medically reviewed by Paul Norio Morton, MD, FAAOS, FAAHKS  ·  Board-certified orthopedic surgeon · Last reviewedJuly 2026

How It Works

How robotic-assisted hip replacement works

The robot is a tool that helps Dr. Morton plan and execute your procedure precisely. It assists the surgeon — it does not perform surgery on its own.

1

3D plan from your CT

A pre-operative CT builds a 3D model of your hip, so implant size, leg length, and alignment are planned to your anatomy with the ROSA® or CORI® system.

2

Surgeon-controlled precision

Dr. Morton uses the system's real-time data to position the socket and stem accurately, helping restore leg length and reduce the risk of dislocation.

3

Anterior, muscle-sparing

Where appropriate, the anterior (bikini) approach works between muscles rather than cutting through them — designed to support a quicker early recovery. Recovery varies.

4

Guided recovery

You're up and moving soon after surgery with a plan from our in-house PB&J Physical Therapy team — right here on Oahu.

Where Your Care Happens

Local clinic, expert surgery

Robotic-assisted total hip replacement is performed at Adventist Health Castle with the CORI® system, using the muscle-sparing anterior (bikini) approach.

CORI®Adventist Health Castle

Anterior (bikini) hip

Is It Right For You?

Who is a candidate for hip replacement

Hip replacement is usually considered for advanced arthritis when non-surgical care — activity changes, therapy, medication, and injections — no longer gives lasting relief. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that the decision is based on your pain and loss of function, not your age.

Because we offer both surgical and non-surgical care, Dr. Morton will review every option honestly and recommend surgery only when it is the right fit. Not everyone is a candidate.

You may be a candidate if

  • Hip or groin pain limits walking, stairs, or sleep
  • Stiffness makes putting on shoes or socks hard
  • Non-surgical care no longer gives lasting relief
  • X-rays show arthritis or joint damage

What To Expect

From evaluation to recovery

Timelines are general and vary by patient.

Before surgery

An evaluation and X-rays confirm the diagnosis. If you proceed, a pre-operative CT builds your 3D plan, and we coordinate medical clearance and prehab exercises to prepare.

Day of surgery

Your procedure takes place at Adventist Health Castle or The Queen's Medical Center, with the full resources of a hospital on hand.

Recovery

You begin moving soon after surgery with guidance from our in-house PB&J Physical Therapy team, coordinating your rehab right here on Oahu.

An older couple laughs together while walking along a Hawaiian beach
An everyday beach walk — the kind of activity hip pain can limit.

Hip Replacement by the Numbers

What published registry data and peer-reviewed research show about modern hip replacement.

85%+
Still Working at 15 Years
Evans et al., Lancet 2019: about 85-89% of hip replacements remain functional at 15 years in case-series and registry data
58%
Still Working at 25 Years
Evans et al., Lancet 2019 systematic review: ~58% of hip replacements last a quarter century in registry follow-up
0-1
Nights in Hospital
Many robotic anterior-approach patients go home the same day or next morning; varies by patient
4-6
Weeks to Most Daily Activities
Muscle-sparing anterior approach supports early mobility; individual recovery varies

Hospital-Based Robotic Surgery

Robotic precision with full hospital resources

In urban Honolulu, your hip replacement is performed in an accredited hospital — the right setting when you want advanced monitoring and support close at hand.

Robotic platforms

CORI® at Adventist Health Castle and ROSA® at The Queen's Medical Center — matched to your procedure.

Full hospital support

On-site medical and anesthesia teams — reassuring for patients who want that added layer of care.

Surgeon-led

Dr. Morton directs the plan, the technology, and your care from evaluation through recovery.

Central & convenient

Our Ala Moana clinic keeps consults, imaging, and follow-up easy to reach in town.

2-Minute Check

Am I a candidate for robotic hip replacement?

Answer a few quick questions. This is educational and is not a diagnosis — only an evaluation can tell for sure.

Do you have hip or knee pain that limits walking, stairs, or sleep?

Have non-surgical treatments (therapy, injections, medication) stopped giving lasting relief?

Have X-rays shown arthritis or joint damage, or has a provider mentioned it?

Answer all 3 questions to see your result.

Evidence & Research

What the evidence says about robotic-assisted hip replacement

Robotic assistance and the muscle-sparing anterior approach are tools that help the surgeon plan and position your implant. Here is a plain-language summary of what peer-reviewed research and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons report — with the honest limits.

Total hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in modern medicine — it reliably relieves arthritis pain and restores mobility for the great majority of patients.1

It is also durable. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that the majority of hip replacements continue to function well many years after surgery, and that serious complications are uncommon.2

Robotic assistance is designed to improve accuracy. In a systematic review and meta-analysis, robotic-arm–assisted hip replacement was associated with more accurate placement of the socket within the target ("safe") zone than manual technique.3

The muscle-sparing anterior approach may support faster recovery in the first few weeks, though differences between approaches tend to even out within a few months. Recovery varies for every patient.4

Robotic technology assists the surgeon; it does not perform surgery on its own. Comparisons are to conventional (non-robotic) technique only. Not everyone is a candidate, and individual results and recovery vary. This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice.

References

  1. Learmonth ID, Young C, Rorabeck C. The operation of the century: total hip replacement. Lancet. 2007;370(9597):1508–1519. View source ↗
  2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), OrthoInfo. Total Hip Replacement. Accessed 2026. View source ↗
  3. Han PF, Chen CL, Zhang ZL, et al. Robotics-assisted versus conventional manual approaches for total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies. Int J Med Robot. 2019;15(3):e1990. View source ↗
  4. Higgins BT, Barlow DR, Heagerty NE, Lin TJ. Anterior vs. posterior approach for total hip arthroplasty, a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Arthroplasty. 2015;30(3):419–434. View source ↗
Dr. Paul Norio Morton, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Pacific Bone & Joint

Written and Medically Reviewed By

Paul Norio Morton, MD

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon (American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery). Fellowship-trained; Hawai‘i's first fellowship-trained robotic hip & knee replacement surgeon.

ABOS Board-CertifiedFAAOSFAAHKS

Last reviewedJuly 2026  ·  Read Dr. Morton's full bio →

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Patient Reviews

What patients say

“Dr. Morton has an excellent bedside manner. He really took the time to talk with me about all of my options for my hip replacement. He did my re-do hip replacement 3 months ago and I haven't felt this good for years! Thank you Dr. Morton for helping me walk again.”

— Verified patient· Healthgrades review

“I had left hip surgery on Tuesday and went to physical therapy at his office the next day. I am doing awesome — I have minimal pain! Dr. Morton and the office staff, Bryson and Chelsea the PTs, Carol the scheduler... this is where you want to have surgery!”

— Jodie S.· Google review

Review excerpts reflect individual patient experiences and may be lightly condensed. Results vary.

Robotic Hip Replacement in Honolulu starts with an evaluation

Request an appointment on Klara or call (808) 439-6201 — we'll confirm whether this is right for you.

Request an Appointment → Call (808) 439-6201
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