CASTEL SAN PIETRO, Switzerland, July 23, 2026 – Medacta Group SA ("Medacta" SIX: MOVE) today announces the introduction of NextAR™ Hip, the most comprehensive Augmented Reality (AR) navigation system for Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). This application is the latest addition to the NextAR platform – the company’s proprietary AR solution for efficient, precise, and real-time intraoperative guidance, which already supports total knee replacement, shoulder arthroplasty, and spine procedures.
Medacta Introduces NextAR Hip Application to its Proprietary Augmented Reality Platform for Accurate and Efficient Execution of Personalized THA
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total hip arthroplastyMedacta Group SANextAR Hip application
Built on Medacta's single-use active sensor and AR technology, the platform seamlessly integrates patient-specific, real-time data into the operative workflow, enhancing accuracy while allowing for personalized adjustments. Designed to support execution through key surgical steps, NextAR Hip accommodates both CT-based and CT-free workflows across anterior and posterior approaches. The first clinical cases using NextAR Hip have recently been conducted in Australia and the United States.
"In today's surgical environment, efficiency matters as much as accuracy. In my practice, NextAR Hip delivers both — providing advanced guidance without increasing operative burden or cost, making it highly relevant for modern ORs and ASC settings," said Tyler Goldberg, MD, Austin Orthopedic Institute, Texas, USA.
NextAR Hip delivers real-time guidance for bone preparation, cup positioning, and screw placement, with accurate control over cup anteversion, inclination, reaming depth, as well as leg-length and offset assessment to support surgical decision-making and postoperative measurements. Whether leveraging a CT-based 3D preoperative plan or following a CT-free workflow, NextAR Hip has the potential to eliminate or significantly reduce the need for intraoperative fluoroscopy, lowering radiation exposure for patients and OR staff, shortening procedural time, and reducing associated costs.
"With NextAR Hip, we can now bridge preoperative planning and the patient's digital twin with real-time intraoperative feedback, moving beyond the constraints of standard fluoroscopy. The result is a more streamlined surgical process with the potential for greater patient safety, reduced radiation exposure, and a compelling economic advantage by reducing reliance on fluoroscopy and the need for a radiographer, while remaining affordable, scalable, and adaptable. This is the kind of innovation that has the potential to make advanced surgical precision more accessible across very different healthcare systems,” said Jit Balakumar, MBBS FRACS(Orth), Ramsay Health Care, Australia.
Developed in close collaboration with an international panel of expert surgeons, NextAR Hip leverages the full breadth of Medacta's established hip implant and instrument portfolio. As part of the MySolutions™ Personalized Ecosystem, Medacta's end-to-end platform of advanced digital solutions designed to support surgeons in delivering personalized care throughout the entire patient journey, NextAR Hip reflects the company's ongoing commitment to developing integrated innovations that address the individual needs of both surgeons and patients.
Medacta's commitment to surgical education remains central to the responsible and effective adoption of new technology. Through the M.O.R.E. Institute, Medacta provides structured training programs and hands-on education resources designed to support surgeons in integrating NextAR Hip into clinical practice effectively and confidently. NextAR Hip is now cleared in the United States and Australia and is available in a limited market release. CE marking under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and regulatory registration in Japan are currently ongoing.
For more information, please visit nextar.medacta.com/hip
ABOUT MEDACTA
Medacta is a global key player specializing in the design, production, and distribution of innovative, personalized, and sustainable solutions for joint replacement, sports medicine, and spine surgery. Established in 1999 in Switzerland, Medacta is committed to improving the care and well-being of patients and maintains a strong focus on healthcare sustainability. Through close collaboration with expert surgeons globally, continuous investments in R&D, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, Medacta’s innovation prioritizes minimally invasive surgery and personalized solutions for every patient. Through the M.O.R.E. Institute, Medacta supports surgeons with a comprehensive and tailored program dedicated to the advancement of medical education. Medacta is headquartered in Castel San Pietro, Switzerland, and operates in over 90 countries. Follow us on Medacta.com, Medacta TV, YouTube, LinkedIn and X.
RELATED TRADEMARKS
Medacta Group Related Trademarks are registered at least in Switzerland. The products and services listed below may not be all-inclusive, and other Medacta products and services not listed below may be covered by one or more trademarks. The products and services listed below may be covered by additional trademarks not listed below. Note that Swiss trademarks may have foreign counterparts. NextAR™ Hip, MySolutions™ Personalized Ecosystem.
Why This Matters
Two Perspectives
MBA Lens: Economic and industry impact
Medacta's NextAR Hip introduces a comprehensive AR navigation system for THA, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in modern ORs and ASCs. This innovation aims to reduce operative burden and costs by minimizing fluoroscopy and radiographer reliance, making advanced surgical precision more accessible and scalable across diverse healthcare systems, aligning with Medacta's personalized ecosystem strategy.
- NextAR Hip offers significant economic advantages by reducing reliance on intraoperative fluoroscopy, lowering costs and procedural time.
- Integrated into Medacta's MySolutions™ ecosystem, it supports market adoption through the M.O.R.E. Institute's structured training programs.
PhD Lens: Clinical and outcomes impact
The NextAR Hip application leverages Medacta's proprietary AR platform with single-use active sensors for real-time intraoperative guidance in THA. It integrates patient-specific data, supporting both CT-based and CT-free workflows across anterior and posterior approaches, enhancing accuracy in bone preparation, cup positioning, and leg-length assessment while potentially reducing radiation exposure.
- The system utilizes AR technology and active sensors to provide real-time guidance for cup anteversion, inclination, and leg-length assessment.
- It accommodates CT-based 3D preoperative plans or CT-free workflows, aiming to reduce or eliminate intraoperative fluoroscopy and radiation.
React:
Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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