An modern examine at Marshall College revealed in ArthroplastyToday explores using robotic-assisted joint substitute in revision knee eventualities, evaluating the pre- and post-revision implant positions in a sequence of revision whole knee arthroplasties (TKA) utilizing a state-of-the-art robotic arm system.
On this retrospective examine, the orthopaedic crew on the Marshall College Joan C. Edwards College of Drugs and Marshall Well being carried out 25 revision knee replacements with a robotic assisted pc system. The process concerned putting new implants on the finish of the thighbone and prime of the shinbone with the pc’s support to make sure the knee was secure and balanced all through the vary of movement. Researchers then fastidiously in contrast the preliminary positions of the first implants with the ultimate deliberate positions of the robotic revision implants for every affected person, assessing the variations in millimeters and levels.
The evaluation discovered that exceedingly small adjustments in implant place considerably affect the operate of the knee substitute. Robotic help throughout revision surgical procedure has the potential to measure these slight variations. As well as, the pc system may also help the surgeon predict what dimension implant to make use of in addition to assist to stability the knee for stability.
“Robotic-assisted surgical procedure has the potential to vary the way in which surgeons take into consideration revision knee substitute,” mentioned Matthew Bullock, D.O., affiliate professor of orthopaedic surgical procedure and co-author on the examine. “The precision supplied by robotic-assisted surgical procedure not solely enhances the surgical course of but in addition holds promise for improved affected person outcomes. Moreover an infection, knee replacements normally fail as a result of they turn into unfastened from the bone or as a result of they’re unbalanced resulting in ache and instability. When this occurs sufferers can have issue with actions of every day residing similar to strolling lengthy distances or negotiating stairs.”
The examine underscores the significance of aligning the prosthesis throughout revision surgical procedure. The analysis additionally suggests potential benefits, together with appropriately sized implants that may affect the ligament stress which is essential for useful knee revisions.
“These findings open new doorways within the realm of revision knee arthroplasty,” mentioned Alexander Caughran, M.D., assistant professor of orthopaedic surgical procedure and co-author on the examine. “We proceed to gather extra information for future research on affected person outcomes after robotic revision knee substitute. We anticipate that additional analysis and technological developments within the realm of synthetic intelligence will proceed to form the panorama of orthopaedic surgical procedure.”
Along with Bullock and Caughran, co-authors from Marshall College embody Micah MacAskill, M.D., resident doctor; Richard Peluso, M.D., resident doctor; Jonathan Lash, M.D., resident doctor; and Timothy Hewett, Ph.D., professor.