Digitized Precision Corrective Osteotomy for Treating Knee Joint Deformities: Current Evidence and Future...

Accurate alignment correction is closely correlated with functional results after corrective osteotomy for knee joint deformities. Traditionally, osteotomy procedures were performed on the basis of the surgeon's experience and direct visual estimation. However, discrepancies between the planned and achieved corrections usually exist due to pre- and intraoperative errors. Digitized orthopedic surgery is an exciting field that utilizes computer science and medical engineering to facilitate personalized surgical treatment. Its potential in corrective osteotomy for treating knee joint deformity deserves a comprehensive review. This review searched the relevant literature in the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, and focused on three aspects: three-dimensional (3D) printed patient-specific instrumentation, computer navigation system, and surgical robots. The characteristics and research status of digitized corrective osteotomy for treating knee joint deformities are outlined. The first-hand experiences from relevant papers and potential future advances in clinical, educational, and research areas were summarized. Current concerns about the already used approaches were clarified. Technological innovations in corrective osteotomy have steadily evolved with the aim of ensuring surgical precision and alignment accuracy, simplifying operational procedures, and improving patient outcomes. Digitized orthopedic surgery has favorable potential in terms of surgical practice, skill training, and delivery of healthcare information. Surgical navigation systems with synthetic functions of planning, training, and robotic assistance should be developed.