Robotic-arm assisted lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: 5-Year outcomes & survivorship

Robotic-arm assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (RA-UKA) has demonstrated accurate component positioning and excellent outcomes for medial components. However, there is a paucity of literature on lateral compartment RA-UKA. The purpose of our study was to assess the midterm clinical outcomes and survivorship of lateral RA-UKA.

This study was a retrospective review of a single-center prospectively maintained cohort of 33 patients (36 knees) indicated for lateral UKA. Perioperative, and postoperative two- and five-year Knee injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Score (WOMAC), and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) patient reported outcome measures were collected. Five-year follow-up was recorded in 29 patients (32 knees).

Mean follow up was 5.1 ± 0.1 years. Mean age and BMI was 70.9 ± 7.2 years and 29.0 ± 4.2 kg/m2, respectively. At discharge, mean distance walked was 273.4 ± 70.4 feet, and mean pain score was 2.0 ± 2.5. At 2-year follow up, mean KOOS, WOMAC, and FJS were 75.1 ± 13.5, 15.0 ± 7.2, and 81.0 ± 23.3, respectively. At 5-year follow up, mean KOOS, WOMAC, and FJS were 75.3 ± 14.6, 14.9 ± 5.0, and 75.8 ± 27.4, respectively. Mean change in KOOS and WOMAC were 35.6 ± 27.1 and 11.7 ± 13.4 (p< .001 and p< .001). 94% of patients were very satisfied/satisfied, 3% neutral, and 3% dissatisfied. 91% met activity expectations, and 59% were more active than before. Survivorship was 100% at 5 years.

In this study, lateral RA-UKA demonstrated significantly improved clinical outcomes, high patient satisfaction, met expectations, and excellent functional recovery at midterm follow up. Comparative studies are needed to determine differences between robotic-assisted and conventional lateral UKA, as well as TKA.