Robotic knee replacement surgery has been widely available for some years – and in Ballarat at St John of God, we have three robots to use with three different companies total knee replacement, and some partial knee replacements. Our surgeons using it find it a useful tool streamlining the operation.

The evidence for better patient outcomes is very slight. Below is a graph demonstrating the reoperation rate at five years is about 2.5% possibly 0.5% better with using a robot.  Arguably both the yellow line below (custom 3D cutting blocks) and red line (old fashioned instruments) are rarely done now.

From the recent Australia Orthopaedic Association meeting, and the Australian Knee Society Meeting – the evidence for kinematic alignment or mechanical alignment as long as it’s done with computer navigation, or with a robot, in good hands, looks good.  In the patient reported outcomes, 90% collected by the AOA say they are much better, or a bit better, very satisfied, or satisfied after knee replacement surgery.
 

David Mitchell
Orthopaedic Surgeon