Abstract
Background
Conventional instrumented total knee arthroplasty uses fixed angles for bony cuts followed by soft tissue releases to achieve balance. Robotic-assisted surgery allows for soft tissue balancing first then bony resection. The changes to the implant position from conventional instrumented surgery were measured and recorded.
Methods
A single center, retrospective study reviewed consecutive total knee replacement surgeries over a 12 month period utilizing robotic pre-planning and balancing techniques. Changes to femoral and tibial varus/valgus and femoral rotation from traditional instrumented surgery positions were analyzed.
Results
There were 145 knees which were grouped by preoperative deformity and the changes were frequent (94%), variable for any given deformity, and often unpredictable. Staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty patients also showed variability between knees.
Conclusion
Robotic-assisted knee replacement technology not only has the advantage of navigation with regard to accurate implant positioning but also provides real-time, actionable data to better position the implant prior to bone resection and minimize soft tissue damage.
