The effect of computerized navigation on component alignment in total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to evaluate the effect of computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on component alignment. The radiographs of 20 patients who underwent computer-assisted TKA within a two-year period were analyzed with respect to the mechanical femorotibial, mechanical femoral, mechanical tibial angles (mFTA, mFA and mTA, respectively) and the tibial slope (σ). The mean postoperative mFTA (179.7°) was significantly improved when compared to the preoperative value (175.45°) (p=0.012). The mean postoperative mFA was significantly reduced (p=0.035) in comparison with the preoperative mean (89.1° and 90.6°, respectively). The mean postoperative mTA was exactly 90.0°, while the preoperative mean was significantly lower (87.7°; p=0.003). Mean tourniquet time during TKA was 109.5 minutes. Computer navigation in TKA appears to be a reliable system which facilitates implant positioning and component alignment.