The majority of adverse events associated with CNTKA were minor and comparable with those seen with conventional TKA .
Clinical outcomes were comparable between the two techniques , with longer-term follow-up suggesting that CNTKA provided no benefit over conventional TKA in terms of sustained functional improvements .
At present , it is unclear whether the significant improvements shown in radiological outcomes after CNTKA translate to measurable clinical benefits .
BACKGROUND Conventional total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) and the more recently available computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty ( CNTKA ) use alternative methods to achieve correct limb alignment .
This systematic review was undertaken to assess the safety and effectiveness of CNTKA compared with conventional TKA .
Navigation Improves Accuracy of Rotational Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Successful total knee arthroplasty is dependent on the correct alignment of implanted prostheses . Major clinical problems can be related to poor femoral component positioning , including sagittal plane and rotational malalignment . A prospect i ve r and omized study was design ed to test whether an optical navigation system for total knee arthroplasty achieved greater implantation precision than a nonnavigated technique . The primary variable was rotation of the femoral component in the transverse plane , measured from postoperative radiographs and computed tomography images . Sixty-four patients were included in the study . All patients received the Duracon total knee prosthesis .  The patients were r and omly divided into two groups : Group C patients had conventional total knee arthroplasty without navigation ; Group N patients had total knee arthroplasty using a computer-assisted knee navigation system . Analysis showed that patients in Group N had significantly better rotational alignment and flexion angle of the femoral component than patients in Group C. In addition , superior postoperative alignment of the mechanical axis , posterior tibial slope , and rotational alignment was achieved for patients in Group N. The use of a navigation system provides improved alignment accuracy , and can help to avoid femoral malrotation and errors in axial alignment
The majority of adverse events associated with CNTKA were minor and comparable with those seen with conventional TKA .
Clinical outcomes were comparable between the two techniques , with longer-term follow-up suggesting that CNTKA provided no benefit over conventional TKA in terms of sustained functional improvements .
At present , it is unclear whether the significant improvements shown in radiological outcomes after CNTKA translate to measurable clinical benefits .
BACKGROUND Conventional total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) and the more recently available computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty ( CNTKA ) use alternative methods to achieve correct limb alignment .
This systematic review was undertaken to assess the safety and effectiveness of CNTKA compared with conventional TKA .