The Rise of Robotic Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty

Authors

Anne Wright, Virginia University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Orthopedic Surgery

Advisor

Larry Herman

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the efficacy of robotic-assisted technology versus conventional total knee replacement techniques, as robotic-assisted technology is gaining in prevalence for total knee arthroplasty.

Method: Searches of the PubMed database were conducted using the terms robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty. Filters were applied, limiting search results to the last five years, with free full-text articles given preference, as well as review articles, prospective and retrospective clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Narrowed searches for the outcome measures discussed in this article were also undertaken for more relevant matches. Care was taken to limit or exclude articles with heavy industry sponsorship or authors that reported conflicts of interest. Articles primarily regarding unicompartmental knee arthroplasty were avoided.

Results: There is considerable evidence to support short-term benefits, increased patient satisfaction, less blood loss, less soft tissue injury, reduction in length of stay, reduced postoperative complications, and a reasonable learning curve from the robotic-assisted total knee replacement compared to conventional techniques. Long-term outcomes which demonstrate superiority to traditional manual/jig-based total knee arthroplasty techniques have not been determined.

Conclusion: Public demand is driving hospital acquisition of robotic technology. Patient perception is more favorable to hospitals that have robotic surgical technology. Early results are showing favorable short-term outcomes.

Keywords: Robotic-Assisted, Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Recommended Citation

Wright A. The Rise of Robotic Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 4(1).