Clinical outcome and quality of life after computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty: results from a prospective, single-surgeon study and review of the literature

• Published in: Chirurgia degli organi di movimento 2009-12, Vol.93 (3), p.115-122
• Main Authors: Peterlein, Christian-Dominik, Schofer, Markus Dietmar, Fuchs-Winkelmann, Susanne, Scherf, Friedrich Georg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - methods; Female; Humans; Joint surgery; Knee; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Article; Orthopedics; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Surgical Orthopedics; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 2035-5106; 2035-5114; 1973-2538
• DOI: 10.1007/s12306-009-0042-2

Despite excellent results, there is a lack of prospective studies analysing functional outcome and quality of life after computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty. Fifty-two patients were investigated before and 6 months after surgery with the OrthoPilot navigation system (Aesculap, Germany). We used the SF-36 Health Survey, the visual analog scale (VAS), the Lequesne score and the Knee Society Score (KSS) for assessment. The operation was carried out by one single surgeon. At follow-up, the study population achieved a significant pain reduction on the VAS from 71 to 21 points, an average decline of the Lequesne score from 16 to 7 points coming along with a significant ascent of the KSS from 84 to 157 points. Concerning the SF-36 Health Survey, most of the patients re-achieved age- and gender-matched scores. Poor results were obtained in patients with multiple comorbidities and a severe flexion contracture preoperative.