Kona · Big Island
Robotic Hip Replacement in Kona
Serving Kailua-Kona and West Hawai‘i. 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.
Mohala Health, 75-184 Hualalai Road, Suite 205
- Anterior (bikini) muscle-sparing approach
- Robotic 3D planning for leg-length & alignment
- Cementless, biologic fixation options
- Same-day discharge for eligible patients
Written and medically reviewed by Paul Norio Morton, MD, FAAOS, FAAHKS · Board-certified orthopedic surgeon · Last reviewedJuly 2026How 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.
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 MAKO™ system.
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.
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.
Guided recovery
You're up and moving soon after surgery with a plan from our in-house PB&J Physical Therapy team — close to home in West Hawai‘i.
Where Your Care Happens
Local clinic, expert surgery
Robotic joint replacement is performed at Hilo Community Surgery Center using the MAKO™ system, which plans your procedure from a pre-operative CT scan for a personalized fit — right here on the Big Island.
CT-based robotic planning
Outpatient Surgery Center
Why surgery at an outpatient center on the Big Island
For eligible patients, Hilo Community Surgery Center offers real advantages over a large hospital — and keeps your care close to home.
Lower cost
Outpatient surgery is typically less expensive than the same procedure in a hospital.
High quality & safety
A focused, efficient setting built around orthopedic surgery for healthy candidates.
Surgeon-led
Dr. Morton directly manages the team, environment, and technology.
Close to home
Stay on the Big Island for surgery and recovery instead of flying to Oahu.
Eligibility for outpatient surgery depends on your health and procedure. Not everyone is a candidate.
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, close to home
West Hawai‘i patients can keep more of their care on-island. 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 Hilo Community Surgery Center. Many healthy patients are candidates to go home the same day, depending on their health and support at home.
Recovery
You begin moving soon after surgery with guidance from our in-house PB&J Physical Therapy team, so you can recover here on the Big Island instead of traveling to Oahu.
Hip Replacement by the Numbers
What published registry data and peer-reviewed research show about modern hip replacement.
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?
You may be a strong candidate.
Your answers suggest robotic hip replacement could be a good fit. The next step is a simple evaluation, where we'll confirm with an exam and imaging and review every option with you — surgical and non-surgical.
This tool is educational and not a diagnosis. Not everyone is a candidate; only a clinical evaluation can determine what's right for you.
You might be a candidate — let's talk.
Some of your answers point toward robotic hip replacement, but the right path depends on the details. A short evaluation will give you a clear, honest answer and a plan.
This tool is educational and not a diagnosis. Not everyone is a candidate; only a clinical evaluation can determine what's right for you.
Let's take a closer look.
Your answers don't point clearly to robotic hip replacement yet — but that doesn't mean we can't help. We'll evaluate what's going on and point you to the care that fits, often starting with non-surgical options.
This tool is educational and not a diagnosis. Not everyone is a candidate; only a clinical evaluation can determine what's right for you.
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
- Learmonth ID, Young C, Rorabeck C. The operation of the century: total hip replacement. Lancet. 2007;370(9597):1508–1519. View source ↗
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), OrthoInfo. Total Hip Replacement. Accessed 2026. View source ↗
- 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 ↗
- 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 ↗
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.
Last reviewedJuly 2026 · Read Dr. Morton's full bio →
Explore More
Robotic Hip Replacement across Hawai‘i
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 Kona starts with an evaluation
Request an appointment on Klara or call (808) 439-6201 — we'll confirm whether this is right for you.