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Robotic total knee arthroplasty (TKA) improves the accuracy of implant positioning and reduces outliers in achieving the planned limb alignment compared to conventional jig-based TKA.
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Robotic TKA does not have a learning curve effect for achieving the planned implant positioning. The learning curve for achieving operative times comparable to conventional jig-based TKA is 7–20 robotic TKA cases.
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Cadaveric studies have shown robotic TKA is associated with reduced iatrogenic injury to the periarticular soft tissue envelope compared to conventional jig-based TKA.
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Robotic TKA is associated with decreased postoperative pain, enhanced early functional rehabilitation, and decreased time to hospital discharge compared to conventional jig-based TKA. However, there are no differences in medium- to long-term functional outcomes between conventional jig-based TKA and robotic TKA.
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Limitations of robotic TKA include high installation costs, additional radiation exposure, learning curves for gaining surgical proficiency, and compatibility of the robotic technology with a limited number of implant designs.
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Further higher quality studies are required to compare differences in conventional TKA versus robotic TKA in relation to long-term functional outcomes, implant survivorship, time to revision surgery, and cost-effectiveness.
Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4:611-617. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.190022
