An progressive research 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 complete knee arthroplasties (TKA) utilizing a state-of-the-art robotic arm system.
On this retrospective research, the orthopaedic staff on the Marshall College Joan C. Edwards College of Drugs and Marshall Well being carried out 25 revision knee replacements with a robotic assisted laptop system. The process concerned inserting new implants on the finish of the thighbone and prime of the shinbone with the pc’s support to make sure the knee was steady and balanced all through the vary of movement. Researchers then rigorously 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 perform of the knee substitute. Robotic help throughout revision surgical procedure has the potential to measure these slight variations. As well as, the pc system might help the surgeon predict what measurement implant to make use of in addition to assist to steadiness the knee for stability.
“Robotic-assisted surgical procedure has the potential to alter the way in which surgeons take into consideration revision knee substitute,” stated Matthew Bullock, D.O., affiliate professor of orthopaedic surgical procedure and co-author on the research. “The precision supplied by robotic-assisted surgical procedure not solely enhances the surgical course of but additionally holds promise for improved affected person outcomes. Moreover an infection, knee replacements normally fail as a result of they develop into free from the bone or as a result of they’re unbalanced resulting in ache and instability. When this occurs sufferers can have problem with actions of each day dwelling akin to strolling lengthy distances or negotiating stairs.”
The research underscores the significance of aligning the prosthesis throughout revision surgical procedure. The analysis additionally suggests potential benefits, together with appropriately sized implants that may impression the ligament stress which is essential for useful knee revisions.
“These findings open new doorways within the realm of revision knee arthroplasty,” stated Alexander Caughran, M.D., assistant professor of orthopaedic surgical procedure and co-author on the research. “We proceed to gather extra knowledge 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.