Better accuracy and reproducibility of a new robotically-assisted system for total knee arthroplasty compared to conventional instrumentation: a cadaveric study

This is a randomized prospective controlled trial comparing the alignment, function, and patient quality-of-life outcomes between patients undergoing conventional (CONV) and computer-assisted (CAS) knee arthroplasty. One hundred and fifteen patients (60 CAS, 55 CONV) underwent cemented total knee arthroplasty. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Eighty-eight percent (CAS) vs 61% (CONV) of knees achieved a mechanical axis within 3 degrees of neutral (P = .003). Aligning femoral rotation with the epicondylar axis was accurately achieved in CAS and CONV with no significant difference. Patients with coronal alignment within 3 degrees of neutral had superior International Knee Society and Short-Form 12 physical scores at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty achieves greater accuracy in implant alignment and this correlates with better knee function and improved quality of life.

Aims The objective of this study was to compare early postoperative functional outcomes and time to hospital discharge between conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and robotic-arm assisted TKA. Patients and Methods This prospective cohort study included 40 consecutive patients undergoing conventional jig-based TKA followed by 40 consecutive patients receiving robotic-arm assisted TKA. All surgical procedures were performed by a single surgeon using the medial parapatellar approach with identical implant designs and standardized postoperative inpatient rehabilitation. Inpatient functional outcomes and time to hospital discharge were collected in all study patients. Results There were no systematic differences in baseline characteristics between the conventional jig-based TKA and robotic-arm assisted TKA treatment groups with respect to age (p = 0.32), gender (p = 0.50), body mass index (p = 0.17), American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p = 0.88), and preoperative haemoglobin level (p = 0.82). Robotic-arm assisted TKA was associated with reduced postoperative pain (p < 0.001), decreased analgesia requirements (p < 0.001), decreased reduction in postoperative haemoglobin levels (p < 0.001), shorter time to straight leg raise (p < 0.001), decreased number of physiotherapy sessions (p < 0.001) and improved maximum knee flexion at discharge (p < 0.001) compared with conventional jig-based TKA. Median time to hospital discharge in robotic-arm assisted TKA was 77 hours (interquartile range (IQR) 74 to 81) compared with 105 hours (IQR 98 to 126) in conventional jig-based TKA (p < 0.001). Conclusion Robotic-arm assisted TKA was associated with decreased pain, improved early functional recovery and reduced time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig-based TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:930–7.

Navigated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is promoted as a means to improve limb and prosthesis alignment. This study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis for all randomized controlled trials in the literature from 1986 to 2009 comparing alignment outcomes between navigated and conventional TKA. Alignment outcomes were pooled using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was explored. Twenty-three randomized controlled trials were identified comparing navigated vs conventional TKA involving 2541 patients. Patients who underwent navigated TKA had a significantly lower risk of implant malalignment at more than 3° as well as more than 2°. In addition, the risk of malalignment was reduced for the coronal plane tibial and femoral components as well as femoral and tibial slope. This meta-analysis demonstrates that navigated TKA provides significant improvement in prosthesis alignment. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.