Hilo · Big Island
Robotic Knee Replacement in Hilo
Serving Hilo and East Hawai‘i. When knee arthritis no longer responds to non-surgical care, robotic-assisted knee replacement can relieve pain and restore function — with 3D planning tailored to your anatomy and muscle-sparing, often cementless technique. Individual results vary; not everyone is a candidate.
75 Pu‘uhonu Place, Suite 204
- Robotic 3D planning for precise implant alignment
- Muscle-sparing, often cementless technique
- Same-day discharge for many eligible patients
- Surgery and recovery close to home on the Big Island
Written and medically reviewed by Paul Norio Morton, MD, FAAOS, FAAHKS · Board-certified orthopedic surgeon · Last reviewedJuly 2026How It Works
How robotic-assisted knee 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 scan builds a 3D model of your knee, so your implant plan is personalized to your anatomy with the MAKO™ system.
Surgeon-controlled precision
Dr. Morton uses real-time data to position the implant accurately. Robotic assistance is designed to help place components within the plan.
Muscle-sparing technique
Where appropriate, a subvastus, muscle-sparing approach works around the muscle — designed to support a more comfortable early recovery. Recovery varies.
Guided recovery
You start moving soon after surgery with a plan from our in-house PB&J Physical Therapy team — close to home in Hilo.
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
Is It Right For You?
Who is a candidate for knee replacement
Knee 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
- Knee pain limits walking, stairs, or sleep
- Non-surgical treatments no longer give lasting relief
- X-rays show arthritis or joint damage
What To Expect
From evaluation to recovery, close to home
Every step is designed to keep your care on the Big 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 in Hilo instead of traveling to Oahu.
Knee Replacement by the Numbers
What registry data and peer-reviewed research show about modern robotic-assisted knee replacement.
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.
2-Minute Check
Am I a candidate for robotic knee 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 knee 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 knee 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 knee 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 knee replacement
Robotic assistance is a tool that helps 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.
Robotic assistance is designed to place the implant more precisely. In a 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis, robotic-arm–assisted knee replacement was associated with more accurate component positioning and fewer alignment outliers than conventional, manual technique.1
In a controlled study, robotic-arm assistance was associated with less early post-operative pain and improved early functional recovery compared with conventional jig-based technique — though recovery varies for every patient.2
Larger reviews are more measured: robotic assistance consistently improves alignment accuracy, but whether that translates into better long-term pain relief, function, and implant durability than conventional technique is still being studied.3
Knee replacement itself is well established. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that more than 90% of modern total knee replacements are still functioning well 15 years after surgery, and that serious complications such as joint infection occur in fewer than 2% of patients.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
- Zhang J, Ndou WS, Ng N, et al. Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved accuracy and patient reported outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2022;30(8):2677–2695. View source ↗
- Kayani B, Konan S, Tahmassebi J, et al. Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved early functional recovery compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty. Bone Joint J. 2018;100-B(7):930–937.
- Redefining Knee Arthroplasty: Does Robotic Assistance Improve Outcomes Beyond Alignment? An Evidence-Based Umbrella Review. J Clin Med. 2025;14(8):2588. View source ↗
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), OrthoInfo. Total Knee Replacement. Accessed 2026. 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 Knee Replacement across Hawai‘i
Robotic Knee Replacement in Hilo starts with an evaluation
Request an appointment on Klara or call (808) 439-6201 — we'll confirm whether this is right for you.