An revolutionary examine at Marshall University printed in ArthroplastyToday explores the usage of robotic-assisted joint alternative in revision knee situations, 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.
In this retrospective examine, the orthopaedic staff on the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Health 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 help 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 alternative. Robotic help throughout revision surgical procedure has the potential to measure these slight variations. In addition, the pc system can assist the surgeon predict what dimension 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 alternative,” 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 additionally holds promise for improved affected person outcomes. Besides an infection, knee replacements often fail as a result of they turn out to be unfastened 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 every day dwelling akin 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 impression the ligament pressure 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 knowledge for future research on affected person outcomes after robotic revision knee alternative. We anticipate that additional analysis and technological developments within the realm of synthetic intelligence will proceed to form the panorama of orthopaedic surgical procedure.”
In addition to Bullock and Caughran, co-authors from Marshall University 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.