A literature review of robotic systems showed that these systems can , similarly to computer navigation , reliably improve lower leg alignment , component positioning and soft tissues balancing .
Findings in this study suggest that computer navigation or robotic assistance may help managing these multiple variables and could improve outcomes .
Recently , there is a growing interest in surgical variables that are intraoperatively controlled by orthopaedic surgeons , including lower leg alignment , component positioning and soft tissues balancing .
Since more tight control over these factors is associated with improved outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) , several computer navigation and robotic-assisted systems have been developed .
Although mechanical axis accuracy and component positioning have been shown to improve with computer navigation , no superiority in functional outcomes has yet been shown .
This could be explained by the fact that many differences exist between the number and type of surgical variables these systems control .
Most systems control lower leg alignment and component positioning , while some in addition control soft tissue balancing .
Finally , robotic-assisted systems have the additional advantage of improving surgical precision .
Manually controlling all these surgical variables can be difficult for the orthopaedic surgeon .
Minimally Invasive Computer-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Compared With Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective 9-Year Follow-Up.
BACKGROUND Studies on minimally invasive computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty ( MICA-TKA ) have shown promising results , but are limited by short follow-up . The purpose of this study was to compare the midterm radiographic features and functional outcomes between patients who underwent MICA-TKA and conventional TKA .  METHODS A total of 108 patients who were r and omized to undergo MICA-TKA or conventional TKA during 2004 and 2005 were contacted for a prospect i ve follow-up review . Patients who were lost to contact , have passed away , or declined to participate in the study were excluded . Objective functional measurements and radiographs were obtained for assessment . RESULTS By the time of this study , 2 patients from the conventional group had undergone revision TKA , one due to infection and one due to aseptic loosening . A total of 67 patients ( 62.04 % ) were followed up for an average period of 9.07 years ( 8.51 - 9.61 years ) . At follow-up , functional scores were comparable between the 2 groups . No significant intergroup differences were found in mechanical knee alignment and component placement angle in the coronal views . No statistical or clinical significance were noticed in radiographic signs of component loosening . CONCLUSIONS MICA-TKA provided similar clinical , functional , and radiographic outcomes compared with conventional TKA after an average of 9-year follow-up . This technique can be used to exploit its short-term advantages without compromising midterm outcomes
A literature review of robotic systems showed that these systems can , similarly to computer navigation , reliably improve lower leg alignment , component positioning and soft tissues balancing .
Findings in this study suggest that computer navigation or robotic assistance may help managing these multiple variables and could improve outcomes .
Recently , there is a growing interest in surgical variables that are intraoperatively controlled by orthopaedic surgeons , including lower leg alignment , component positioning and soft tissues balancing .
Since more tight control over these factors is associated with improved outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) , several computer navigation and robotic-assisted systems have been developed .
Although mechanical axis accuracy and component positioning have been shown to improve with computer navigation , no superiority in functional outcomes has yet been shown .
This could be explained by the fact that many differences exist between the number and type of surgical variables these systems control .
Most systems control lower leg alignment and component positioning , while some in addition control soft tissue balancing .
Finally , robotic-assisted systems have the additional advantage of improving surgical precision .
Manually controlling all these surgical variables can be difficult for the orthopaedic surgeon .