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Does the amount of noise generated differ between manual and robotic TJA?
John D D Higgins1, Nabil Mehta2, Vasili Karas1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
The Knee
|July 23, 2025
Summary
Noise exposure during total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is significant, but neither manual nor robotic techniques exceeded Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) limits for peak sound pressure or 8-hour time-weighted averages.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Surgical Technology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Surgical noise levels during total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are not well-characterized.
- Understanding noise exposure is crucial for surgeon and staff safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare noise levels generated during manual versus robotic-assisted TJA.
- To determine if surgical noise exceeds Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) action limits.
Main Methods:
- Decibel (dB) levels were recorded using personal dosimeters worn by the primary surgeon.
- Both manual and robotic-assisted total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures were monitored.
- Continuous (LAeq) and peak (LCPeak) decibel levels were captured, and 8-hour Time-Weighted-Average (TWA) was calculated.
Main Results:
- Noise levels were significant in all TJA procedures, with mean LAeq ranging from 69.7 to 71.4 dB.
- Peak sound pressure levels did not exceed OSHA limits in any group.
- Manual THA showed higher average LCPeak values than robotic THA (P=0.01), while TKA showed no significant difference.
Conclusions:
- TJA surgeons experience substantial noise exposure irrespective of surgical technique.
- Neither manual nor robotic techniques resulted in noise levels exceeding established OSHA safety thresholds for peak and TWA exposure.
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