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 .
Achieving Accurate Ligament Balancing Using Robotic-Assisted Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty ( UKA ) allows replacement of a single compartment in patients with limited disease . However , UKA is technically challenging and relies on accurate component positioning and restoration of natural knee kinematics . This study examined the accuracy of dynamic , real-time ligament balancing  using a robotic-assisted UKA system . Surgical data obtained from the computer system were prospect ively collected from 51 patients ( 52 knees ) undergoing robotic-assisted medial UKA by a single surgeon .  Dynamic ligament balancing of the knee was obtained under valgus stress prior to component implantation and then compared to final ligament balance with the components in place . Ligament balancing was accurate up to 0.53 mm compared to the preoperative plan , with 83 % of cases within 1 mm at 0 ° , 30 ° , 60 ° , 90 ° , and 110 ° of flexion . Ligamentous laxity of 1.31 ± 0.13 mm at 30 ° of flexion was corrected successfully to 0.78 ± 0.17 mm ( P < 0.05 ) . Robotic-assisted UKA allows accurate and precise reproduction of a surgical balance plan using dynamic , real-time soft-tissue balancing to help restore natural knee kinematics , potentially improving implant survival and functional 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 .