Does robotic assistance influence recovery after total knee arthroplasty?

Abstract

Aims The aim of this study was to compare the early clinical outcomes of robotically-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RA-TKA) and manual total knee arthroplasty (M-TKA), using daily remote patient monitoring. Methods We prospectively enrolled and compared patients who underwent 95 RA-TKAs with those who underwent 114 M-TKAs. All patients used an activity monitor and a patient engagement platform for two weeks preoperatively and 90 days postoperatively to collect daily visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, opioid consumption (in morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs)), step counts, weekly Oxford Knee Scores (OKSs), and monthly Forgotten Joint Scores (FJS). There were no significant differences between groups in sex or BMI. Patients in the RA-TKA group were significantly younger (mean age 63 vs 65 years; p = 0.006). Independent-samples t -tests, chi-squared tests, and Fisher’s exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Results RA-TKA led to significantly decreased pain (mean VAS 3.6 vs 4.2; p = 0.011) and significantly reduced opioid consumption in the first seven days postoperatively (a mean of 10 less MMEs per day; p < 0.001) compared with M-TKA. The RA-TKA group stopped taking opioids six days sooner (mean 24 days vs 30 days; p = 0.041). There were no significant differences in the number of days before stopping the use of walking aids (mean 31 days vs 35 days; p = 0.091). Patients in the RA-TKA group had significantly increased OKSs for the first five weeks (p = 0.013). There were no significant differences in the FJSs at all times or in OKSs beyond five weeks. There were no significant differences in the operating times (p = 0.405), step counts (p = 0.642), or complications (p = 0.222) between the groups. Conclusion The use of robotic assistance in TKA led to significant improvements in pain, opioid consumption, and OKSs compared with manual instrumentation in the early recovery after primary TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2025;107-B(10):1054–1063.