PATIENTS’ PERCEPTION OF COMPUTER ASSISTED CUP PLACEMENT IN TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY.

Abstract

Purpose: The current clinical Study was compared with historical control in terms of level of pain perception, blood loss and post-operative mobility in patients undergoing arthroplasty of the hip with computer navigation. A secondary objective was to investigate the level of patient satisfaction with the procedure.

Methods: The prospective study was conducted over a 24 month period. 30 Patients were sequentially operated and contralateral hip operated by different surgeons previously compared as control group. Delayed mobility was observed in 6% of patients with managed with computer navigation only. 2 patients had dislocation in early post-operative period, which was relocated Significantly less patients managed with the computer assisted hip arthroplasty complained of pain around the wound site [p< .01]after 48 hours of index surgery. Mean Blood loss was less [725ml Vs 1230ml] and mean length of skin incision [10.8cm Vs 17.5 cm] is lesser than the conventional arthroplasty.

Patient satisfaction was higher in the navigated group and 86% of patients were able to fully mobilize within 72 hours of the index operation.

Conclusion: Soft tissue trauma during surgery is an important cause of post-operative morbidity. Surgical exposure and malposition of the acetabular cup may cause delayed post-operative mobility after conventional hip arthroplasty

Computer aided hip arthroplasty may influence postoperative outcome in otherwise uncomplicated surgery. Although the study was limited by non randomization and other variables, initial results are encouraging.