Robotic‐arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with comparable functional outcomes but improved forgotten joint scores compared with conventional manual total knee arthroplasty at five‐year follow‐up

Abstract

Purpose This study reports the five-year functional outcomes from a prospective cohort study comparing robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty (RO TKA) versus conventional manual total knee arthroplasty (CO TKA). Methods This prospective single-surgeon study included 120 patients with symptomatic end-stage knee arthritis undergoing primary TKA. This included 60 consecutive patients undergoing CO TKA followed by 60 consecutive patients undergoing RO TKA using a semi-automated robotic device. Study patients were reviewed at one, two, and five years after surgery and the following outcomes recorded: The University of California at Los Angeles activity-level (UCLA), Knee Society Score (KSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS) Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), and any complications. Results There were no statistical differences between RO TKA and CO TKA in the median UCLA score (p = N.S), median KSS (p = N.S), and median OKS (p = N.S) at five-year follow-up. RO-TKA was associated with statistically significant improvements in the FJS at one (p = 0.001), two (p = 0.003), and five (p = 0.025) years of follow-up compared with CO TKA. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of knee stiffness requiring manipulation under anesthesia between the two treatment groups (p = N.S). Conclusion Patients in both treatment groups had excellent functional outcomes with comparable patient reported outcomes at five-year follow-up. RO TKA was associated with statistically significant improvements in the FJS compared with CO TKA, but these differences did not reach the minimal clinically important difference at any follow-up interval. There was no overall difference in complications between the two treatment groups at five-year follow-up. Level of evidence II (Prospective cohort study).

Short-term functional outcomes of robotic-assisted TKA are better with functional alignment compared to adjusted mechanical alignment

“…Chithartha et al [25] found a constant evolution of the mean modified FJS from 64.4 at 3 weeks to 89.9 at 2 years, before a progressive decline to 82.7 at 10 years. Kayani et al [26] noted a significant improvement in the FJS at one-year, two-year, and at five-year follow-ups. The variability in time to FJS follow-up of this study may explain these differences with the literature.…”

Early Clinical and Economic Outcomes for the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution Compared with Manual Instrumentation for Total Knee Arthroplasty

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Current literature also suggests that use of robotic-assisted TKA can reduce soft tissue trauma leading to decreased pain and expedited recovery. 8,9 However, some studies have suggested that the benefits of robotic-assisted TKA may be only apparent in the early postoperative period 10,11 and have highlighted concerns regarding the learning curve 12,13 and increased costs associated with the use of robotic surgery. 14,15 The DePuy Synthes VELYS robotic-assisted solution (VRAS) is one of the latest entrants in the rapidly evolving field of robotic technology for TKA.…”