Page 15 - Orthofeed_Issue4_Feb2022

Article 2

Robotic-assisted tools for

knee replacement surgery:

Beginning of a new

era of surgery

In a recent study published in Arthroplasty Today,
Dr. Geoffrey Westrich and his team highlighted that knee
replacement surgeries involving robotic assistance lead to a
lower complication rate in the first three months following
surgery. 1

The study included data from more than 1.3 million patients
who underwent a primary, elective total knee replacement
between 2010 to 2018. A significant growth in the use of
computer-assisted navigation and robotic assistance tools
for knee replacement was reported during this period. For
1
example, the 2020 annual conference of hip and knee
surgeons highlighted that 77% of the participants confirmed
adoption of robotic assistance in their clinical practice. 1, 2

Figure 1. A NAVIO robotic system (Smith and Nephew)
demonstrating the robotic unit with computer interface From the large national database, it was found that the
for surgeon feedback and motion capturing camera. 3
clinical use of robotic-assisted knee replacement grew
considerably from 2010 to 2018. In addition,
robotic-assisted surgery also led to a decline in complication rate. 1, 2 Dr. Westrich and his team found that the
robotic system allows customization of procedure for each patient, thus providing optimal alignment and
positioning of the knee replacement critical to the long-term success of the surgery. 1, 2

MAKO is one such robotic-assisted knee-replacement systems that uses a CT scan of patient’s knee before surgery.
1, 2 Once the scan is uploaded to the MAKO system, a 3D model of the joint or knee is created and used as a
replacement (Figure 1). Following this, the orthopedic surgeon in the operating room uses a robotic arm to control
surgical instruments integrated with a computer-guided mapping software that assists in positioning the implant to
the joint. A digital tracking system then monitors and updates a patient’s anatomy, enabling the surgeon to make
1, 2
real time adjustments during implant placement, alignment, ligament balance, and joint motion. This helps in more
accurate alignment and positioning of the implant and less damage due to friction, leading to more extended use. 1,
2

References
1) Emily Henderson B. Robotic-assisted knee replacement linked to lower odds of complications after surgery. News-Medical.net.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20211112/Robotic-assisted-knee-replacement-linked-to-lower-odds-of-complications-after-surgery.aspx. Published 2022. Accessed February
22, 2022.
2) Bendich I, Kapadia M, Alpaugh K, Diane A, Vigdorchik J, Westrich G. Trends of Utilization and 90-Day Complication Rates for Computer-Assisted Navigation and Robotic
Assistance for Total Knee Arthroplasty in the United States From 2010 to 2018. Arthroplast Today. 2021;11:134-139.
3) Shatrov J, Parker D. Computer and robotic - assisted total knee arthroplasty: a review of outcomes. J Exp Orthop. 2020;7(1):70.