Electromagnetic Navigation in Total Knee Arthroplasty—A Single Center, Randomized, Single-Blind Study Comparing the Results With Conventional Techniques

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 199 - 205
• Main Authors: Blyth, Mark J.G., MBCHB, Smith, Julie R., PhD, Anthony, Iain C., PhD, Strict, Neville E., MBBCh, Rowe, Philip J., PhD, Jones, Bryn G., MBCHB
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - methods; clinical outcome; Electromagnetic Phenomena; EM navigation; Female; Femur - surgery; Humans; Knee Joint - surgery; Knee Prosthesis; Male; mechanical alignment; Middle Aged; Orthopedics; Quality of Life; randomized controlled trial; Rotation; Single-Blind Method; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; surgical accuracy; Tibia - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; total knee arthroplasty; surgical accuracy; total knee arthroplasty; mechanical alignment; clinical outcome; EM navigation; randomized controlled trial
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2014.09.008

Abstract We report on the results of a randomized study (n = 200) to compare total knee arthroplasty performed using conventional instrumentation or electromagnetic computer assisted surgical technique. 92% of navigated and 85% of conventional knees were implanted within ± 3° from neutral mechanical alignment; there was no statistically significant difference between these proportions. There was also no difference in femoral or tibial rotation assessed by CT scan. At 1 year follow up there was no statistical difference between the two groups in American Knee Society Score, Oxford Knee Scores, patient satisfaction, quality of life, hospital length of stay, complication rates or other adverse events. Tourniquet time in the navigated group was longer. Proving value for navigation in total knee arthroplasty surgery remains a challenge.