Robotic Surgery in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Survey of the AAHKS Membership to Understand the Utilization, Motivations, and Perceptions of Total Joint Surgeons

In the past decade, the popularity of robot arm assistance in total joint arthroplasty has outpaced the reporting of long-term data. This study aimed to understand the motivations for use and perceptions of the technology among total joint surgeons.

An online survey was distributed to the membership of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. The questions were asked for respondent’s motivations for utilization of the technology, perceptions regarding outcomes and training, and personal characteristics that may have influenced responses.

Increased precision was the primary reason for users (73.1%) to utilize robot arm assistance in total joint procedures. Nonusers were just as likely to consider adopting the technology because of increase precision and marketing ( P = .590). Nonclinical reasons such as marketing, administrative pressure, and peer pressure were primary motivators for 19.7% of users of the technology. Respondents regardless of financial interest and use of the technology felt that robot arm assistance increased operative time (76.5%) and was not more cost-effective than traditional methods (78.7%). Most American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons members felt that 20-40 surgical cases were needed to become competent with the technique (54.1%). A unique finding of this study is that a larger proportion of orthopedic surgeons considered themselves “innovators” or “early adopters,” based on Roger’s diffusion of innovations, than was expected for the general population.

This study demonstrates that the decision to adopt robot arm assistance in total joint arthroplasty is multifactorial and may have a significant contribution from nonclinical factors and inherent surgeon characteristics. Continued evaluation of surgeon perceptions will be valuable as new evidence emerges regarding long-term outcomes.