Fellowship-Trained, Board-Certified
Hip and Knee Specialist

Personalized Care, Professional Approach.
Minimally Invasive Surgery.
Excellent Outcomes.

Robotic Precision.
Rapid Recovery.
Small Incisions.

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Dr. Paul Norio Morton, MD, FAAOS, FAAHKS - Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgeon
4.9 Stars - Based on 199 User Reviews
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Get Back To Life Pain-Free with Dr. Morton

Latest Technology, Personalized Care

Hip and Knee pain is very common and can interfere with your everyday life and stop you from doing the things you want to do. The hip and knees are joints that are the largest joints in the body and very easy to incur. An injury to your hips or knees can prevent you from running, walking, sitting and many other day to day activities that we take for granted! Common causes of pain include arthritis, avascular necrosis, meniscus tears, fractures and ligament sprains (ACL).

Some orthopedic doctors only want to talk with you about surgery. There are many treatment options that might help you recover. Dr. Morton will talk with you about both surgical and nonsurgical options to recover quickly and get you pain-free faster.

Are you tired of suffering from Hip or Knee pain? You don’t have to suffer! Talk with Dr. Morton today about different treatment strategies.

Testimonials and Reviews

Don’t take our word for it. Read some of Dr. Morton’s latest reviews

Hi, I’m Dr. Paul Norio Morton.

I was raised in Kea’au on the Big Island. While attending college in Ohio, I was also a volunteer firefighter. The feeling I got when helping in rescue operations convinced me that I wanted to become a doctor. My love of sports, helping people, and technology have come together in my Orthopedic Practice at the Queen’s Medical Center.

I specialize in hips and knees and am the first Orthopedic Surgeon in Hawai’i who is Fellowship-trained in Robotic joint Replacement. Some of my patients have even nicknamed me “The Robot Doc.” I believe robotic surgery is more precise, less invasive has fewer complications, and will get you back out there feeling pain-free faster.

And although I use the latest technology, I still believe in good, old-fashioned, friendly, and personalized care.

If you’re having issues with your hips or knees, please give me a call today. Let’s find the best solution for you and get you back to being active, again!

Mahalo for entrusting me with your care,

Paul Norio Morton, M.D.

About Dr. Paul Norio Morton, MD Orthopedic Surgeon in Honolulu, Hawaii

Dr. Morton in the News

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Smart Implants (Persona IQ®)

Smart implants are devices that are designed to monitor a patient’s condition and provide feedback to the surgeon on how the implant is performing. This information can be used to make sure that the implant is functioning properly and adjust the treatment accordingly if necessary. Dr. Morton offers the only smart implant for total knee replacements with Persona IQ®

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Persona IQ 1 e1664147387464

Robotic-Assisted Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

Robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery is a minimally invasive approach to hip and knee replacement surgery that is made possible by advances in surgical robotics technology. In traditional joint replacement surgery, large incisions are made in order to access the joint. However, with robotic-assisted surgery, smaller incisions are used and the surgeon is able to control a robotic arm to perform the surgery with greater precision. This approach results in less tissue damage, less pain, and a quicker recovery for patients.

Robotic Hip Replacement Rosa

Surgery Without Cutting Ligaments or Tendons

The Subvastus approach for knees and the Bikini Anterior Approach for hips are designed to avoid cutting through ligaments, tendons, and muscles, ensuring a more natural recovery and significantly reducing post-operative discomfort.

The Subvastus approach for knee surgeries involves a meticulous technique where the surgeon accesses the knee joint by carefully moving aside the vastus medialis muscle rather than cutting through it. This approach preserves the integrity of the quadriceps muscle group, as well as the tendons and ligaments surrounding the knee. By maintaining these crucial structures, patients experience several benefits, including reduced post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker return to daily activities. This technique also minimizes the risk of complications such as muscle weakness and scarring, promoting a more efficient and comfortable rehabilitation process.

Similarly, the Bikini Anterior Approach for hip replacements utilizes a minimally invasive technique that avoids cutting any tendons, muscles, or ligaments. The surgeon accesses the hip joint through a natural interval between the muscles at the front of the hip, preserving muscle function and strength. This approach results in less muscle damage, reduced pain, and a faster recovery. Additionally, the incision is placed in a more cosmetically appealing location, often hidden by clothing, which enhances post-surgical aesthetics. Patients undergoing this approach typically experience a quicker return to normal activities and a lower risk of dislocation due to the preservation of the hip’s natural anatomy.

Minimally Invasive Approach to a Total Knee Replacement With the Quadriceps Sparing Approach e1716777826286

Minimally Invasive Hip and Knee Replacement – Smaller Incisions, Faster Recovery

Minimally invasive surgery performed by Dr. Morton typically involves smaller incisions compared to traditional knee replacements. Below is a picture of a patient who recently underwent a right minimally invasive robotic total knee replacement 5 months after surgery compared to a scar from surgery performed several years ago by a different provider in Hawaii. Over time, the surgery scars gradually fade in color. The surgical incision is roughly half the length compared to the competitor’s incision. Dr. Morton’s philosophy is that with smaller incisions, there is less pain and a faster recovery.

Similarly, Dr. Morton performs minimally invasive robotic-assisted anterior hip replacements via the Bikini approach. The bikini incision is a variation of the anterior approach where the incision is parallel to the skin folds. By making the incision parallel to the skin folds, it follows Langer’s lines. Following the langer’s lines allows the incision to follow the natural orientation of the collagen fibers in the dermis, allowing for improved healing. Patients with elevated BMI, often have increased difficulty with healing due to the folds of the skin. This approach changes the location of the incision, decreasing the change of wound complications and infection. The term “bikini” is used because the incision is small and well hidden beneath clothing. These incisions are typically 2 – 4 inches long compared to the traditional 5 – 10 inch long incisions.

Total Knee Scar Comparison Standing

Minimally Invasive Knee Replacements incisions such as that seen on the right usually are 4- 6 inches long.

Total Knee Scar Comparison Sitting

Traditional Knee Replacements incisions such as that seen on the left usually are 10-12 inches long.

Robot-Assisted Total Knee Procedure Video Demonstration

ACL Repair with BEAR®

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee joint. Tears of the ACL are common injuries that can cause knee instability. BEAR® (Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair) is a new surgical technique that uses a biological bridge to repair tears of the ACL while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue. This allows for the restoration of the anatomy of the ACL.

Dr. Paul Norio Morton, MD – Your Orthopedic Hip and Knee Surgeon

Dr. Paul Norio Morton is a Board-certified, Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon that practices on Oahu and the Big Island. He treats a broad range of orthopedic conditions, including arthritis, sports injuries, hip and knee replacements, trauma, and robotic joint arthroplasty. He believes in treating his patients with a holistic approach – incorporating patient’s desires and expectations into the treatment of their musculoskeletal problems.

In his spare time, Dr. Morton enjoys covering mixed martial arts events. His passions include Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, traveling, hiking, swimming, water sports, and hiking. Dr. Morton embraces helping patients on their healthcare journey to get back in action and deciding when to pursue nonoperative and surgical care.

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Schedule a consult with Hip and Knee Expert Dr. Morton Today!