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Open Access 05-03-2025 | Opioids | Research

A comparative study of early postoperative pain: robotic-assisted versus conventional total knee arthroplasty

Authors: Keerati Chareancholvanich, Chaturong Pornrattanamaneewong, Ronnakit Udompanich, Kit Awirotananon, Rapeepat Narkbunnam

Published in: International Orthopaedics

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Abstract

Purpose

While robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RA-TKA) has demonstrated improved surgical precision, its impact on early postoperative pain management remains unclear. This study compared early postoperative pain outcomes between RA-TKA and conventional TKA (C-TKA).

Methods

In this retrospective study, 230 consecutive patients (309 knees) who underwent primary TKA were analyzed: 143 patients (181 knees) in the C-TKA group and 87 patients (128 knees) in the RA-TKA group. Pain scores at rest and during movement were assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale for 72 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption and length of hospital stay.

Results

While pain scores at rest showed no significant differences between groups, RA-TKA patients reported significantly lower pain scores during movement at 24 h post-surgery (p = 0.023). The RA-TKA group demonstrated significantly reduced opioid consumption during the first 48 postoperative hours (p = 0.001 for 0-24 h; p = 0.03 for 24-48 h) and shorter length of hospital stay (p = 0.011). Subgroup analysis of unilateral procedures showed similar advantages in the RA-TKA group.

Conclusion

RA-TKA was associated with reduced pain during movement, decreased opioid consumption, and shorter hospital stay in the early postoperative period compared to C-TKA.
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Metadata
Title
A comparative study of early postoperative pain: robotic-assisted versus conventional total knee arthroplasty
Authors
Keerati Chareancholvanich
Chaturong Pornrattanamaneewong
Ronnakit Udompanich
Kit Awirotananon
Rapeepat Narkbunnam
Publication date
05-03-2025
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords
Opioids
Opioids
Published in
International Orthopaedics
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-025-06451-1