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 .
Clinical and radiologic outcomes of contemporary 3 techniques of TKA.
This report compares the radiologic and early clinical results of total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) performed by the same surgeon using 3 techniques . In this prospect i ve study , 75 knees were r and omized to conventional technique  ( 25 knees ) , image-free navigation system  ( 25 knees ) , or minimally invasive surgery ( MIS ) ( 25 knees ) . Age range of the 43 women ( 65 knees ) and 5 men ( 10 knees ) was 58 to 81 years . Posterior stabilized knee prosthesis was used in all patients . Data was collected according to Knee Society System for radiologic evaluation of x-rays . Knee Society clinical ( KS-C ) and functional knee scores were measured preoperatively and at 6 weeks , 3 months , 6 months , 1 year , and 2 years . The postoperative KS-C was not statistically better in the MIS group ( mean , 88 ± 11.5 ; range , 70 - 100 ) than the conventional ( mean , 85.9 ± 7.8 ; range , 74 - 94 ) ( P=.68 ) or navigation group ( mean , 85 ± 11 ; range , 63 - 100 ) ( P=.59 ) . Mean postoperative delta ( mechanical axis ) angle was significantly different ( P=.014 ) : 2.38 ° in the conventional group ( SD=2.88 ° ; 95 % CI , 1.19 ° -3.57 ° ; range , -1.59 ° to 6.86 ° ) , 0.61 ° in the navigation group ( SD=2.07 ° ; 95 % CI , -0.24 ° to 1.46 ° ; range , -2.07 ° to 4.25 ° ) , and 4.25 ° in the MIS group ( SD=6.52 ° ; 95 % CI , 1.56 ° -6.94 ° ; range , -6.72 ° to 15.60 ° ) . Significant difference could be elicited between navigation-assisted and MIS groups , with navigation-assisted surgery providing more accurate alignment of the mechanical axis ( P=.014 ) . Of the three techniques , navigation-assisted surgery gives superior prosthesis alignment and promising longevity of TKA
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 .