Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 3/2023

15-11-2022 | KNEE

Functional alignment with robotic‑arm assisted total knee arthroplasty demonstrated better patient-reported outcomes than mechanical alignment with manual total knee arthroplasty

Authors: Byung Sun Choi, Sung Eun Kim, Myungho Yang, Du Hyun Ro, Hyuk-Soo Han

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 3/2023

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

Given the improved accuracy of robot-assisted surgery, robotic-arm assisted functionally aligned total knee arthroplasty (RFA-TKA) aims to preserve the native pre-arthritic knee biomechanics, to achieve balanced flexion–extension gaps. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the implant position and short-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent RFA-TKA vs. mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty with manual technique (MA-TKA).

Methods

A prospectively collected database was reviewed retrospectively for patients who underwent primary TKA. Sixty patients who underwent RFA-TKA between February 2020 and July 2020 were included in the RFA-TKA group. Sixty patients who underwent MA-TKA were included via 1:1 matching for age, sex, and body mass index based on the RFA-TKA group. For radiological evaluation, knee X-rays were used to assess the functional knee phenotype and implant position accuracy by measuring the coronal and sagittal alignment, and these measurements were compared between the two groups. Patient demographic characteristics and patient-reported outcomes including Knee Society scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, and forgotten joint score-12 were compared between the groups.

Results

Statistically significant differences were observed in postoperative 2-year clinical outcomes in favor of RFA-TKA group which showed greater accuracy in the tibial component sagittal alignment than MA-TKA (1.0 ± 2.3 vs. 0.7 ± 1.6, respectively; P < 0.001). However, outliers in the component positions were more common in the MA-TKA group, which was statistically significant for the femoral coronal and tibial sagittal alignments (P = 0.017 and 0.015, respectively).

Conclusions

Functional alignment in TKA could be accurately obtained with the assistance of a robotic arm, and the results showed greater 2 year postoperative patient-reported outcome and satisfaction than mechanically aligned TKA using manual instruments.

Level of evidence

III.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Agarwal N, To K, McDonnell S, Khan W (2020) Clinical and radiological outcomes in robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Arthroplasty 35(11):3393-3409.e2CrossRefPubMed Agarwal N, To K, McDonnell S, Khan W (2020) Clinical and radiological outcomes in robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Arthroplasty 35(11):3393-3409.e2CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Batailler C, Fernandez A, Swan J, Servien E, Haddad FS, Catani F et al (2021) MAKO CT-based robotic arm-assisted system is a reliable procedure for total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 29:3585–3598CrossRefPubMed Batailler C, Fernandez A, Swan J, Servien E, Haddad FS, Catani F et al (2021) MAKO CT-based robotic arm-assisted system is a reliable procedure for total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 29:3585–3598CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Begum FA, Kayani B, Magan AA, Chang JS, Haddad FS (2021) Current concepts in total knee arthroplasty: mechanical, kinematic, anatomical, and functional alignment. Bone Jt Open 2:397–404CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Begum FA, Kayani B, Magan AA, Chang JS, Haddad FS (2021) Current concepts in total knee arthroplasty: mechanical, kinematic, anatomical, and functional alignment. Bone Jt Open 2:397–404CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
4.
go back to reference Bellemans J, Colyn W, Vandenneucker H, Victor J (2012) The Chitranjan Ranawat award: is neutral mechanical alignment normal for all patients? The concept of constitutional varus. Clin Orthop Relat Res 470:45–53CrossRefPubMed Bellemans J, Colyn W, Vandenneucker H, Victor J (2012) The Chitranjan Ranawat award: is neutral mechanical alignment normal for all patients? The concept of constitutional varus. Clin Orthop Relat Res 470:45–53CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Chin BZ, Tan SSH, Chua KCX, Budiono GR, Syn NL, O’Neill GK (2021) Robot-assisted versus conventional total and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of radiological and functional outcomes. J Knee Surg 34:1064–1075CrossRefPubMed Chin BZ, Tan SSH, Chua KCX, Budiono GR, Syn NL, O’Neill GK (2021) Robot-assisted versus conventional total and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of radiological and functional outcomes. J Knee Surg 34:1064–1075CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Ewald FC (1989) The knee society total knee arthroplasty roentgenographic evaluation and scoring system. Clin Orthop Relat Res 248:9–12CrossRef Ewald FC (1989) The knee society total knee arthroplasty roentgenographic evaluation and scoring system. Clin Orthop Relat Res 248:9–12CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Hampp EL, Chughtai M, Scholl LY, Sodhi N, Bhowmik-Stoker M, Jacofsky DJ et al (2019) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty demonstrated greater accuracy and precision to plan compared with manual techniques. J Knee Surg 32:239–250CrossRefPubMed Hampp EL, Chughtai M, Scholl LY, Sodhi N, Bhowmik-Stoker M, Jacofsky DJ et al (2019) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty demonstrated greater accuracy and precision to plan compared with manual techniques. J Knee Surg 32:239–250CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Hess S, Moser LB, Robertson EL, Behrend H, Amsler F, Iordache E et al (2022) Osteoarthritic and non-osteoarthritic patients show comparable coronal knee joint line orientations in a cross-sectional study based on 3D reconstructed CT images. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 30:407–418CrossRefPubMed Hess S, Moser LB, Robertson EL, Behrend H, Amsler F, Iordache E et al (2022) Osteoarthritic and non-osteoarthritic patients show comparable coronal knee joint line orientations in a cross-sectional study based on 3D reconstructed CT images. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 30:407–418CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Hirschmann MT, Moser LB, Amsler F, Behrend H, Leclerq V, Hess S (2019) Functional knee phenotypes: a novel classification for phenotyping the coronal lower limb alignment based on the native alignment in young non-osteoarthritic patients. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 27:1394–1402CrossRefPubMed Hirschmann MT, Moser LB, Amsler F, Behrend H, Leclerq V, Hess S (2019) Functional knee phenotypes: a novel classification for phenotyping the coronal lower limb alignment based on the native alignment in young non-osteoarthritic patients. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 27:1394–1402CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Kayani B, Konan S, Huq SS, Tahmassebi J, Haddad FS (2019) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty has a learning curve of seven cases for integration into the surgical workflow but no learning curve effect for accuracy of implant positioning. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 27:1132–1141CrossRefPubMed Kayani B, Konan S, Huq SS, Tahmassebi J, Haddad FS (2019) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty has a learning curve of seven cases for integration into the surgical workflow but no learning curve effect for accuracy of implant positioning. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 27:1132–1141CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Kayani B, Konan S, Pietrzak JRT, Haddad FS (2018) Iatrogenic bone and soft tissue trauma in robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study and validation of a new classification system. J Arthroplasty 33:2496–2501CrossRefPubMed Kayani B, Konan S, Pietrzak JRT, Haddad FS (2018) Iatrogenic bone and soft tissue trauma in robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study and validation of a new classification system. J Arthroplasty 33:2496–2501CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Kayani B, Konan S, Tahmassebi J, Pietrzak JRT, Haddad FS (2018) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved early functional recovery and reduced time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study. Bone Joint J 100-B:930–937CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Kayani B, Konan S, Tahmassebi J, Pietrzak JRT, Haddad FS (2018) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved early functional recovery and reduced time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study. Bone Joint J 100-B:930–937CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
13.
go back to reference Kayani B, Tahmassebi J, Ayuob A, Konan S, Oussedik S, Haddad FS (2021) A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing the systemic inflammatory response in conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty versus robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty. Bone Joint J 103-B:113–122CrossRefPubMed Kayani B, Tahmassebi J, Ayuob A, Konan S, Oussedik S, Haddad FS (2021) A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing the systemic inflammatory response in conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty versus robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty. Bone Joint J 103-B:113–122CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Khlopas A, Chughtai M, Hampp EL, Scholl LY, Prieto M, Chang TC et al (2017) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty demonstrated soft tissue protection. Surg Technol Int 30:441–446PubMed Khlopas A, Chughtai M, Hampp EL, Scholl LY, Prieto M, Chang TC et al (2017) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty demonstrated soft tissue protection. Surg Technol Int 30:441–446PubMed
15.
go back to reference Khlopas A, Sodhi N, Hozack WJ, Chen AF, Mahoney OM, Kinsey T et al (2020) Patient-Reported functional and satisfaction outcomes after robotic-arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty: early results of a prospective multicenter investigation. J Knee Surg 33:685–690CrossRefPubMed Khlopas A, Sodhi N, Hozack WJ, Chen AF, Mahoney OM, Kinsey T et al (2020) Patient-Reported functional and satisfaction outcomes after robotic-arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty: early results of a prospective multicenter investigation. J Knee Surg 33:685–690CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Khlopas A, Sodhi N, Sultan AA, Chughtai M, Molloy RM, Mont MA (2018) Robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 33:2002–2006CrossRefPubMed Khlopas A, Sodhi N, Sultan AA, Chughtai M, Molloy RM, Mont MA (2018) Robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 33:2002–2006CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Lee WC, Kwan YH, Chong HC, Yeo SJ (2017) The minimal clinically important difference for knee society clinical rating system after total knee arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 25:3354–3359CrossRefPubMed Lee WC, Kwan YH, Chong HC, Yeo SJ (2017) The minimal clinically important difference for knee society clinical rating system after total knee arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 25:3354–3359CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Lei K, Liu L, Chen X, Feng Q, Yang L, Guo L (2022) Navigation and robotics improved alignment compared with PSI and conventional instrument, while clinical outcomes were similar in TKA: a network meta-analysis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 30:721–733CrossRefPubMed Lei K, Liu L, Chen X, Feng Q, Yang L, Guo L (2022) Navigation and robotics improved alignment compared with PSI and conventional instrument, while clinical outcomes were similar in TKA: a network meta-analysis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 30:721–733CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Mahoney O, Kinsey T, Sodhi N, Mont MA, Chen AF, Orozco F et al (2022) Improved component placement accuracy with robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty. J Knee Surg 35:337–344CrossRefPubMed Mahoney O, Kinsey T, Sodhi N, Mont MA, Chen AF, Orozco F et al (2022) Improved component placement accuracy with robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty. J Knee Surg 35:337–344CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Mancino F, Cacciola G, Malahias MA, De Filippis R, De Marco D, Di Matteo V et al (2020) What are the benefits of robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty over conventional manual total knee arthroplasty? A systematic review of comparative studies. Orthop Rev (Pavia) 12:8657PubMed Mancino F, Cacciola G, Malahias MA, De Filippis R, De Marco D, Di Matteo V et al (2020) What are the benefits of robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty over conventional manual total knee arthroplasty? A systematic review of comparative studies. Orthop Rev (Pavia) 12:8657PubMed
22.
go back to reference Marchand RC, Sodhi N, Anis HK, Ehiorobo J, Newman JM, Taylor K et al (2019) One-year patient outcomes for robotic-arm-assisted versus manual total knee arthroplasty. J Knee Surg 32:1063–1068CrossRefPubMed Marchand RC, Sodhi N, Anis HK, Ehiorobo J, Newman JM, Taylor K et al (2019) One-year patient outcomes for robotic-arm-assisted versus manual total knee arthroplasty. J Knee Surg 32:1063–1068CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Marchand RC, Sodhi N, Bhowmik-Stoker M, Scholl L, Condrey C, Khlopas A et al (2019) Does the robotic arm and preoperative ct planning help with 3D intraoperative total knee arthroplasty planning? J Knee Surg 32:742–749CrossRefPubMed Marchand RC, Sodhi N, Bhowmik-Stoker M, Scholl L, Condrey C, Khlopas A et al (2019) Does the robotic arm and preoperative ct planning help with 3D intraoperative total knee arthroplasty planning? J Knee Surg 32:742–749CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Marchand RC, Sodhi N, Khlopas A, Sultan AA, Harwin SF, Malkani AL et al (2017) Patient satisfaction outcomes after robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty: a short-term evaluation. J Knee Surg 30:849–853CrossRefPubMed Marchand RC, Sodhi N, Khlopas A, Sultan AA, Harwin SF, Malkani AL et al (2017) Patient satisfaction outcomes after robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty: a short-term evaluation. J Knee Surg 30:849–853CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Oussedik S, Abdel MP, Victor J, Pagnano MW, Haddad FS (2020) Alignment in total knee arthroplasty. Bone Joint J 102:276–279CrossRefPubMed Oussedik S, Abdel MP, Victor J, Pagnano MW, Haddad FS (2020) Alignment in total knee arthroplasty. Bone Joint J 102:276–279CrossRefPubMed
26.
27.
go back to reference Ritter MA, Davis KE, Davis P, Farris A, Malinzak RA, Berend ME et al (2013) Preoperative malalignment increases risk of failure after total knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am 95:126–131CrossRefPubMed Ritter MA, Davis KE, Davis P, Farris A, Malinzak RA, Berend ME et al (2013) Preoperative malalignment increases risk of failure after total knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am 95:126–131CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Roche M (2021) The MAKO robotic-arm knee arthroplasty system. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 141:2043–2047CrossRefPubMed Roche M (2021) The MAKO robotic-arm knee arthroplasty system. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 141:2043–2047CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Scholl LY, Hampp EL, de Souza KM, Chang TC, Deren M, Yenna ZC et al (2022) How Does robotic-arm assisted technology influence total knee arthroplasty implant placement for surgeons in fellowship training? J Knee Surg 35:198–203CrossRefPubMed Scholl LY, Hampp EL, de Souza KM, Chang TC, Deren M, Yenna ZC et al (2022) How Does robotic-arm assisted technology influence total knee arthroplasty implant placement for surgeons in fellowship training? J Knee Surg 35:198–203CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Shaw JH, Lindsay-Rivera KG, Buckley PJ, Weir RM, Banka TR, Davis JJ (2021) Minimal Clinically important difference in robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty versus standard manual total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 36:S233–S241CrossRefPubMed Shaw JH, Lindsay-Rivera KG, Buckley PJ, Weir RM, Banka TR, Davis JJ (2021) Minimal Clinically important difference in robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty versus standard manual total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 36:S233–S241CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Sires JD, Craik JD, Wilson CJ (2021) Accuracy of bone resection in MAKO total knee robotic-assisted surgery. J Knee Surg 34:745–748CrossRefPubMed Sires JD, Craik JD, Wilson CJ (2021) Accuracy of bone resection in MAKO total knee robotic-assisted surgery. J Knee Surg 34:745–748CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Sultan AA, Samuel LT, Khlopas A, Sodhi N, Bhowmik-Stoker M, Chen A et al (2019) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty more accurately restored the posterior condylar offset ratio and the insall-salvati index compared to the manual technique; a cohort-matched study. Surg Technol Int 34:409–413PubMed Sultan AA, Samuel LT, Khlopas A, Sodhi N, Bhowmik-Stoker M, Chen A et al (2019) Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty more accurately restored the posterior condylar offset ratio and the insall-salvati index compared to the manual technique; a cohort-matched study. Surg Technol Int 34:409–413PubMed
34.
go back to reference Thienpont E, Fennema P, Price A (2013) Can technology improve alignment during knee arthroplasty. Knee 20(Suppl 1):S21-28CrossRefPubMed Thienpont E, Fennema P, Price A (2013) Can technology improve alignment during knee arthroplasty. Knee 20(Suppl 1):S21-28CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Thilak J, Babu BC, Thadi M, Mohan V, Arun Kumar T, Mane PP et al (2021) Accuracy in the execution of pre-operative plan for limb alignment and implant positioning in robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty and manual total knee arthroplasty: a prospective observational study. Indian J Orthop 55:953–960CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Thilak J, Babu BC, Thadi M, Mohan V, Arun Kumar T, Mane PP et al (2021) Accuracy in the execution of pre-operative plan for limb alignment and implant positioning in robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty and manual total knee arthroplasty: a prospective observational study. Indian J Orthop 55:953–960CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
36.
go back to reference Zambianchi F, Bazzan G, Marcovigi A, Pavesi M, Illuminati A, Ensini A et al (2021) Joint line is restored in robotic-arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty performed with a tibia-based functional alignment. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 141:2175–2184CrossRefPubMed Zambianchi F, Bazzan G, Marcovigi A, Pavesi M, Illuminati A, Ensini A et al (2021) Joint line is restored in robotic-arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty performed with a tibia-based functional alignment. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 141:2175–2184CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Functional alignment with robotic‑arm assisted total knee arthroplasty demonstrated better patient-reported outcomes than mechanical alignment with manual total knee arthroplasty
Authors
Byung Sun Choi
Sung Eun Kim
Myungho Yang
Du Hyun Ro
Hyuk-Soo Han
Publication date
15-11-2022
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 3/2023
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-022-07227-5

Other articles of this Issue 3/2023

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 3/2023 Go to the issue