Robotic Assistance in Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Results in Superior Early Functional Recovery and Is More Likely to Meet Patient Expectations

Authors: Meredith P Crizer¹, Amer Haffar¹, Andrew Battenberg¹, Mikayla McGrath¹, Ryan Sutton¹, Jess H Lonner¹

¹Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Abstract

Background

‍Robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (RA-UKA) has been proposed to improve implant positioning accuracy and clinical outcomes compared to conventional UKA (C-UKA). The purpose of this study was to compare early functional recovery and patient expectation fulfillment between RA-UKA and C-UKA.

Methods

‍We retrospectively compared 200 consecutive patients who underwent UKA (100 RA-UKA, 100 C-UKA) matched by age, sex, BMI, and preoperative KOOS Jr. score. Early functional recovery was assessed using KOOS Jr., PROMIS Physical Function, and Forgotten Joint Score at 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively using the Force Therapeutics digital platform. Patient expectation fulfillment was measured using the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Expectations Survey.

Results

‍RA-UKA patients demonstrated significantly superior KOOS Jr. scores at 6 weeks (p=0.03) and equivalent scores at 3 months. FJS was significantly better in RA-UKA patients at 6 weeks (p=0.02). RA-UKA patients were significantly more likely to report fulfillment of their preoperative expectations at 6 weeks and 3 months (p<0.05 for both).

Conclusion

‍Robotic assistance in UKA results in superior early functional recovery and is more likely to meet patient expectations compared to conventional UKA.