Computer-Assisted Robotic Total Knee Replacement Better Than Conventional Surgery

A study of 1,000 computer-assisted robotic total knee replacements performed over a five year period at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, NY demonstrates that computer-assisted procedures result in far better leg alignment, much less likelihood of complicating infection, and a far lower early failure rate than surgeries performed using conventional techniques. In conventional knee-replacement procedures, a long rod is invasively inserted the length of the femur to determine proper alignment of the artificial joint, and surgeons must drill holes in the bones to position cutting tools. Robotic cutting devices that are positioned mechanically with computer assistance eliminate all that, making the procedure truly minimally-invasive and reducing the risk of infection and emboli while maintaining high levels of accuracy. Using conventional techniques, the best surgeons achieve alignment of the hip and knee lines with the ankle within three degrees 50 to 80 percent of the time. Using Smith & Nephew‘s PiGalileo system, alignment within three degrees was achieved in all of the computer-assisted robotic procedures and final post-surgical alignment averaged just under one degree (0.8). Additionally there were no early failures and no revision operations secondary to misalignment, instability or aseptic loosening.
Even though the study comes from a relatively unknown hospital, likely as result of the hospital’s efforts to increase its business and profitability, we want to believe in the study results.
Press release: Study Shows Significant Advantages of Computer-Assisted Robotic Total Knee Replacement…
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