Orthopedic Research and Reviews (Oct 2022)

Where are We Now and What are We Hoping to Achieve with Robotic Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Critical Analysis of the Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

  • Mancino F,
  • Jones CW,
  • Benazzo F,
  • Singlitico A,
  • Giuliani A,
  • De Martino I

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 339 – 349

Abstract

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Fabio Mancino,1 Christopher W Jones,1,2 Francesco Benazzo,3,4 Alessandro Singlitico,5 Alessandro Giuliani,5 Ivan De Martino5,6 1Department of Orthopaedics, The Orthopaedic Research Foundation of Western Australia (ORFWA), Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; 2Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; 3Sezione di Chirurgia Protesica ad Indirizzo Robotico, Unità di Traumatologia dello Sport, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy; 4IUSS, Istituto di Studi Superiori, Pavia, Italy; 5Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; 6Unità di Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, ItalyCorrespondence: Ivan De Martino, Unità di Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Roma, 00168, Italy, Tel +39 3512412491, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) has been developed to improve knee kinematics and functional outcomes, expedite recovery, and improve implants long-term survivorship. Robotic devices are classified into active, semi-active, and passive, based on their degree of freedom. Their capacity to provide increased accuracy in implants positioning with reduced radiographic outliers has been widely proved. However, these early advantages are yet to be associated with long-term survivorship. Moreover, multiple drawbacks are still encountered including a variable learning curve, increased setup and maintenance costs, and potential complications related to the surgical technique. Despite recent technologies applied to TKA have failed to prove substantial improvements, robotic-assisted surgery seems to be here to stay and revolutionize the field of TKA. To support its consistent usage on a daily basis, long-term results are still awaited, and further improvements are necessary to reduce the expenses related to it.Keywords: robotic total knee arthroplasty, knee alignment, accuracy, robot, survivorship, clinical outcomes

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