The Usability of Robotic-assisted Systems for Total Knee Arthroplasty Can Be Improved Without Hindering the Accuracy of the Bone Cuts

IntroductionThis study assessed the bone cuts accuracy of a robotic-assisted system for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that was recently upgraded.Materials and methodsThree orthopaedic surgeons planned and executed TKA on 24 sawbones. Bone cut accuracy was assessed using CT scans, comparing the planning and the actual bone cuts in all six degrees-of-freedom.ResultsThe root-mean-square (RMS) values were below 2 mm or 2 degrees for all error types, except for the medio-lateral position (2.4 mm) and internal-external rotation (2.3 degrees) of the left tibias. The maximal amplitude of the 288 errors (6 degrees-of-freedom * 2 bones * 24 knees) was observed in tibial external rotation (3.2 degrees). Most error types reported a bias, with limited variations among knees.ConclusionsThe errors were in the same range as those of the prior version of the system, suggesting that the improvements brought by the system upgrade were not obtained at the expense of accuracy.