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 .
Computer assisted versus conventional cemented total knee prostheses alignment accuracy and micromotion of the tibial component
We evaluated the influence of CT-free or CT-based computer assisted orthopaedic surgery ( CAOS ) on the alignment of total knee prostheses ( TK ) and micromotion of tibial components . This r and omised study compared 19 CT-free , 17 CT-based CAOS TK , and a matched control group of 21 conventionally placed TK .  Using Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis ( RSA ) the migration was measured . The alignment and component positions were measured on radiographs . No significant difference in leg and tibial component alignment was present between the three groups . A significant difference was found for micromotion in subsidence , with the conventional group having a mean of 0.16 mm , compared to the CT-free group at 0.01 mm and the CT-based group at −0.05 mm . No clinical significant difference in alignment was found between CAOS and conventionally operated TK . More subsidence of the tibial component was seen in the conventional group compared to both CAOS groups at two year follow-up . RésuméBut de l'étude : Evaluer l'influence de la navigation avec ou sans scanner sur l'alignement des prothèses totales du genou et sur la micromobilité du composant tibial . Matériel et méthode : nous avons réalisé une étude r and omisée comparant 19 prothèses naviguées sans scanner , 17 prothèses naviguées avec scanner , croisées avec un groupe contrôle de 21 patients avec mise en place d'une prothèse par voie conventionnelle . Nous avons utilisé la méthode RSA pour mesurer la migration . L'alignement et les composants étaient mesurés sur les radiographies . Résultats : il n'y a pas de différence significative au niveau de l'alignement des composants pour les trois groupes , par contre il existe une différence significative en ce qui concerne la migration . Dans le groupe conventionnel celle-ci est d'environ 0,16 mm , 0,01 mm dans le groupe navigation sans scanner et 0,05 mm dans le groupe navigation avec scanner . Conclusion : il n'y a pas de différence significative dans l'alignement des prothèses totales du genou lors de la mise en place d'une prothèse totale avec ou sans navigation par contre , il existe une micromobilité avec petite migration du composant tibial si l'on compare le groupe conventionnel avec les groupes navigués
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 .