Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Görkem Kıyak
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Joint Replacement
Makoplasty total hip replacement
What makoplasty total hip replacement is, how a CT-based plan and a robotic arm guide the cup and stem, what the evidence says about accuracy and long-term results, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, who suits it, how many days to stay, recovery milestones, risks and how to check a hospital.
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Makoplasty total hip replacement: what it is and how it works
Makoplasty total hip replacement is a standard hip replacement carried out with a robotic arm that helps the surgeon place the new socket and stem. "Mako" is the name of the robotic-arm system made by Stryker; the implants themselves are the same kind of metal, ceramic and polyethylene components used in conventional hip surgery. The difference lies in the planning and in how precisely the bone is prepared. Hospitals in Turkey that own the system offer it to people with advanced hip arthritis, usually as a cemented or uncemented total hip replacement.
It starts with a CT scan of your pelvis and thigh bone. Software builds a three-dimensional model, and the surgeon plans the size and position of the cup and stem, including leg length and the angle of the socket. In the operating theatre the surgeon holds the robotic arm, which cuts and reams only inside the planned boundary and resists movement outside it. The surgeon still makes the decisions and performs the operation; the robot is a guide, not an autonomous machine. See our wider guide to total hip replacement for the operation itself, or browse all orthopedics treatments in Turkey.
What happens in the operation, step by step?
A few weeks before surgery you have the CT scan and standard blood tests, an ECG and an anaesthetic review. On the day you are given spinal anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia. The surgeon opens the hip through a posterior, lateral or anterior approach, registers your bone to the plan by touching marked points, removes the worn femoral head and uses the robotic arm to ream the socket to the planned depth and angle. The cup is fixed, the thigh bone is prepared, the stem and ball are inserted and leg length and stability are checked before closing. The operation usually takes 60 to 90 minutes; with the planning step it is often a little longer than a manual operation.
Does robotic hip replacement actually work?
The honest answer has two parts. First, studies consistently show that robotic-arm assistance places the socket closer to the planned position, with fewer implants outside the safe zone, and that leg length is easier to match. Second, there is not yet strong long-term evidence that this precision leads to fewer revisions, fewer dislocations or a longer-lasting hip than a well-performed conventional operation. National joint registries continue to follow implants, and the NHS notes that most hip replacements, however performed, last at least 15 to 20 years. A reputable hospital will present makoplasty as a precision tool for planning and placement, not as a guarantee of an outcome. Surgeon experience matters at least as much as the technology.
Makoplasty total hip replacement cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
These are approximate ranges for a one-sided total hip replacement, not hospital quotes. Prices change with the implant brand, the type of fixation, the room category and the number of nights in hospital. Each hospital confirms its own price in a written quote.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €6,500 – €14,000 |
| United Kingdom | €11,000 – €18,000 (private) |
| United States | €25,000 – €55,000 |
| Germany | €9,000 – €19,000 |
What changes the price: the implant (ceramic-on-polyethylene and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings cost more), whether the robotic system is charged separately, the CT planning and the length of hospital stay. A package normally covers pre-operative tests, surgeon and anaesthetist fees, the implant, 7 to 10 days of accommodation, physiotherapy and airport transfers. Ask exactly which implant will be used and whether revision or complication care is included.
Who is a good candidate for a Mako hip replacement?
Candidates are adults with significant hip arthritis, from wear, avascular necrosis, dysplasia or previous injury, whose pain and stiffness have not improved with painkillers, walking aids, physiotherapy, weight management or injections. X-rays should show joint damage consistent with the symptoms. You are less suited if you have an active infection, uncontrolled diabetes, very poor bone quality that needs a special implant, serious heart or lung disease that makes anaesthesia unsafe, or if you smoke and cannot stop before surgery. People with metal implants or hardware around the hip may need extra imaging; tell the team early.
How many days should I stay in Turkey, and how fast is recovery?
You are usually walking with a frame or crutches on the day of surgery or the next morning, and you stay in hospital for 2 to 4 nights. Most overseas patients then stay another few days locally so the surgeon can check the wound and your physiotherapist can teach you stairs, a safe way to sit and a home exercise plan; 7 to 10 days in total is common. Blood-thinning injections or tablets are normally taken for several weeks to reduce the risk of clots. Stitches or clips are removed at around 10 to 14 days, often by your GP or practice nurse at home.
- Weeks 1–2: walking with aids, wound care, swelling and bruising down the thigh.
- Weeks 2–6: one stick or none, desk work usually possible, no driving until you can brake safely.
- Weeks 6–12: most daily activities, swimming and cycling when cleared.
- 3–6 months: the hip continues to improve and strengthen.
Long-haul flights are commonly discouraged for several weeks; follow your surgeon's advice and keep moving on the plane.
What results can I realistically expect?
Most people have a large reduction in hip pain and a longer walking distance. X-ray photographs after the operation show the cup and stem sitting at the planned angle, and a leg length that is usually within a few millimetres of the other side. They do not show how the hip feels, which depends on muscle strength and your rehabilitation. Expect a small scar of about 10 to 20 cm. High-impact sport, such as running or football, is generally discouraged to protect the implant, whereas walking, swimming and golf are encouraged.
What can go wrong with a robotic hip replacement?
The risks are those of any total hip replacement. The NHS lists infection, blood clots in the leg or lung, dislocation of the new joint, a difference in leg length, nerve or blood vessel injury, a fracture of the bone during surgery and, over many years, loosening or wear that may need a revision. Rarely, a pin site used for robotic tracking can cause pain or a stress fracture. Robot-specific problems, such as technical faults, are usually resolved by switching to a manual technique. Ask the hospital how many robotic hip operations the surgeon has completed and what happens if a complication appears after you return home.
How do I choose a hospital and what are the red flags?
Look for an orthopaedic surgeon who regularly performs hip replacements, a licensed hospital with an intensive-care unit, a named implant brand with traceability stickers that you can keep, and a written plan with price before you pay a deposit. Red flags include promises of a "perfect" or guaranteed result, no CT planning, refusing to name the implant, a flat price without a list of what is included, and pressure to travel quickly. Read how our process works and request a free quote: the hospital reviews your X-rays and sends a written plan and price.
Questions to ask the clinic
- Which implant and bearing surface will be used, and can I have the implant record?
- How many Mako hip replacements has my surgeon performed?
- Is the robotic system charged separately in the quote?
- How many nights in hospital, and how many days must I stay in Turkey?
- What happens, and who pays, if I need further treatment?
- Who will review my wound and X-rays after I return home?
Hospitals with Orthopedics in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is a total hip replacement in which a robotic arm, guided by a CT-based plan, helps the surgeon prepare the socket and place the implants. The implants are the same types used in conventional surgery; the surgeon still performs the operation.
It reliably relieves hip arthritis pain, as hip replacement in general does. Studies show more accurate socket placement with the robot, but long-term proof of fewer revisions is limited, so surgeon experience remains important.
Roughly €6,500 to €14,000, against about €11,000 to €18,000 privately in the UK. The price depends on the implant, the hospital room and length of stay; the hospital confirms its price in a written quote.
It is more precise at positioning the socket, but evidence that patients live better or need fewer revisions is not yet firm. A skilled surgeon using conventional methods can also achieve excellent results.
Most people walk with aids on day one, use one stick after 2 to 6 weeks and manage most daily activities by 6 to 12 weeks. Full improvement continues for 3 to 6 months.
There is soreness and swelling for the first week or two, controlled with regular painkillers and ice. Most people find pain from arthritis is gone or far less once the wound settles.
Modern hip replacements commonly last 15 to 20 years or more, according to the NHS. Longevity depends on the implant, your weight, activity level and the accuracy of placement.
Usually 7 to 10 days: 2 to 4 nights in hospital, then a few days nearby for wound review and physiotherapy before flying home.
Short flights are often allowed after about 7 to 10 days if the surgeon agrees, while long-haul flights may be delayed for several weeks. Walk regularly and follow clot-prevention advice.
Both use the same robotic-arm system, but they are different operations on different joints. Hip makoplasty replaces the ball and socket; knee makoplasty resurfaces or replaces the knee.
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