Value proposition of robotic total knee arthroplasty: what can robotic technology deliver in 2018 and beyond?

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has undergone marked development and increasingly gained interest with multiple studies demonstrating excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes. However, a value assessment that encompasses other aspects related to the adoption of this technology is necessary to fully appreciate the cost/benefit ratio and potential present and future returns. Due to the relative paucity of evidence, this review was conducted to compare newer generation robotic TKA systems vs. historic ones and we evaluated: 1) clinical outcomes; 2) radiographic outcomes; 3) safety; 4) learning curve; 5) operating room efficiency; 6) effect on ergonomic health; and 7) cost analysis of robotic – assisted TKA to understand their value proposition.

Areas covered: Comprehensive and detailed discussion of past and contemporary robotic-arm assisted TKA systems. What are the clinical and radiological outcomes and how robotic systems have evolved to offer potential advantages in 2018.

Expert commentary: Robotic systems for TKA have undergone substantial development with proven excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes. However, there are still limitations to overcome. Overall, recent robotic technology is on a steep curve of adoption and expected only to grow, backed by the demonstrated clinical success and cost – benefit value that is projected to favor further growth.

KEYWORDS:

• Robotic
• total knee arthroplasty
• robotic-arm assisted
• value proposition
• robotic total knee arthroplasty

Declaration of Interest

M Mont is a board/committee member for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, is a paid consultant for Cymedica, Pacira, Performance Dynamics Inc., and Sage, has received research support from the National Institutes of Health (NIAMS & NICHD), is a paid consultant for and has received research support from DJ Orthopaedics, Johnson & Johnson, Ongoing Care Solutions, Orthosensor, Stryker, and TissueGene, is on the editorial board for Journal of Arthroplasty, Journal of Knee Surgery, Orthopedics, and Surgical Techniques International, and has received IP royalties from Microport. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer Disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.