Robot-assisted unicondylar knee arthroplasty: A critical review

Abstract

Introduction Unicompartmental knee arthro-plasty (UKA) is an effective surgical treatment for unicompartmental arthritis. Although results can be optimized with careful patient selection and use of a sound implant design, the most important determinant of success of UKA is component alignment. Studies have shown that component malalign-ment by as little as 2° may predis-pose to implant failure after UKA. Robot-assisted UKA has been projected to address this issue, which combines patient specificity and navigation. Modern-day robots overcome the problems with older-generation robots like iatrogenic fractures and also introduce in vivo dynamic assessment of the knee that incorporates soft tissue tension. Issues with learning curve, longer operating times and high cost investment persist. We discuss the technique of one such modern robotic design and review the literature with respect to accuracy in restoring limb alignment and their functional outcome.