Abstract
We undertook this study to compare the flexion stabilities, the clinical outcomes, and complications in cases of TKA using either the robotic technique (ROB-TKA) or navigation-assisted technique (NA-TKA).
Robot group (53 knees) and navigation group (56 knees) that underwent TKA for osteoarthritis were assessed for varus and valgus laxity at 90° of knee flexion after a minimum three-year follow-up. These evaluations included KS, WOMAC scores, and ROM. To evaluate flexion stability, varus and valgus laxities at 90° of knee flexion were measured using stress radiographs.
KS and WOMAC scores were significantly improved at last follow-up. However, no significant difference was found between the ROB-TKA and NA-TKA groups for any clinical outcome parameter. No significant intergroup differences were found in mechanical axis or coronal alignments and the mean varus laxities. No significant difference was found for varus-valgus imbalance at 90° of knee flexion. Complications differed in the two groups but none of the cases were severe enough to warrant a revision.
Both robotic and navigation assisted TKAs were found to restore good coronal leg and prosthesis alignments and good flexion stabilities. However, clinical knee scores and flexion stabilities were no better in short term for robot assisted TKA than for navigation assisted TKA.
