Accelerometer-Based Portable Navigation System Is Useful for Tibial Bone Cutting in Modified Kinematically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty

Several studies have reported better clinical outcomes following kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (KA-TKA) than mechanically aligned TKA. Consistent reproduction of a KA-TKA is aided by accurate tibial bone resections using computer navigation systems. This study compares an accelerometer-based portable navigation system with a conventional navigation system on tibial bone resection and clinical outcomes in KA-TKA. This study included 60 knees of patients who underwent primary KA-TKA between May 2015 and September 2017. They were randomly assigned to the OrthoPilot and iASSIST groups. A tibial bone cut was performed with 3 degree varus and 7 degree posterior slope in relation to the mechanical axis in all cases. The tibial component angle (TCA) and posterior slope angle (PSA) were evaluated by postoperative radiography, and those that deviated more than 2 degree were set as outliers. The clinical outcomes were the knee range of motion (ROM) and 2011 Knee Society Score (KSS) evaluated at 1 year postoperation. The groups were compared in terms of the TCA, PSA, number of outliers, ROM, and 2011 KSS (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the mean TCA, PSA, number of outliers, ROM, and categories of the 2011 KSS (objective knee indicators, symptoms, satisfaction, expectations, and functional activities). Although tibial bone cuts were performed with 3 degree varus and 7 degree posterior slope, no significant difference was observed between the OrthoPilot and iASSIST groups in terms of the accuracy of cuts or postoperative clinical result. The iASSIST was found to be a simple and useful navigation system for KA-TKA.