The current state of robotics in total knee arthroplasty
Jean-Pierre St Mart and En Lin GohKnee
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Robotic total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has demonstrated improved component positioning and a reduction of alignment outliers with regard to pre-operative planning.
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Early robotic TKA technologies were mainly active systems associated with significant technical and surgical complications.
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Current robotic TKA systems are predominantly semi-active with additional haptic feedback which minimizes iatrogenic soft tissue injury compared to conventional arthroplasty and older systems.
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Semi-active systems demonstrate advantages in terms of early functional recovery and hospital discharge compared to conventional arthroplasty.
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Limitations with current robotic technology include high upfront costs, learning curves and lack of long-term outcomes.
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The short-term gains and greater technical reliability associated with current systems may justify the ongoing investment in robotic technology.
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Further long-term data are required to fully ascertain the cost-effectiveness of newer robotic systems.
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