Navigation System Advances Total Hip Arthroplasty

Innovative total hip arthroplasty (THA) technology helps maximize accuracy and reproducibility by delivering patient-specific component alignment.

The Smith & Nephew (London, United Kingdom) RI.HIP NAVIGATION system is designed to empower surgeons by providing assessment of individual patient pelvic tilt, a predicted view of the post-op AP X-ray in surgery to assist with cup placement, and a digital measurement of leg length and offset changes to achieve more consistent leg length restoration. And since it takes advantage of express workflows and image-free technology, it does not require computerized tomography (CT) scans. In addition, the small footprint integrates seamlessly with the operating room environment.


The cup can intuitively be placed supported by live values for anteversion and inclination angles, with implant sizing assistance, restoration of native joint center, and verification of full implant seating. The system is based on the Brainlab (Munich, Germany) software-guided surgery for hip replacement, which includes a five-step-registration method, easy and fast registration in both supine and lateral patient positions, no repositioning required in lateral patient position, and pinless fixation at the femur. The Brainlab orthopedic joint reconstruction business was integrated into Smith+Nephew in 2019.

“The integration of the orthopaedic joint reconstruction business has gone well, and we are delighted to now be able to offer customers an exciting upgrade path with more capabilities," said Randy Kilburn, senior vice president of commercial marketing for orthopedics at Smith & Nephew. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Brainlab to expand access to these technologies as well as developing further orthopedic reconstruction applications and sports medicine as well.”

Hip arthroplasty is the standard approach for treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in older patients, and is preferred over fracture fixation, due to the tenuous blood supply of the proximal femur. During the procedure, fixation of the femoral stem can be accomplished with cement or via bony growth into a porous-coated implant (uncemented). In elective THA, uncemented femoral components are currently favored by US orthopedic surgeons, whereas cemented stems are preferred by European orthopedists.

Related Links:

Smith & Nephew
Brainlab