Comparative Analysis of Functional Outcomes in Robotic-assisted versus Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a widely accepted surgical intervention for patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. While conventional TKA has demonstrated consistent clinical success, robotic-assisted TKA has emerged as an evolving advancement aimed at improving surgical precision, implant alignment, and post-operative functional recovery.

A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 120 patients undergoing primary TKA, divided equally into robotic-assisted (n = 60) and conventional (n = 60) groups. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 3, 6, and 12 months using the Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and range of motion (ROM). Radiographic assessment was performed to evaluate post-operative mechanical alignment.

Robotic-assisted TKA demonstrated significantly improved alignment accuracy and superior functional outcomes compared to conventional TKA. At 12 months, the robotic group showed significantly higher KSS scores and lower WOMAC scores (P < 0.05). Patients undergoing robotic-assisted TKA also achieved greater post-operative flexion ROM and experienced lower pain scores during early rehabilitation. Although operative time was significantly longer in the robotic group, no statistically significant differences were observed in complication rates or duration of hospital stay.

Robotic-assisted TKA demonstrated superior early post-operative functional outcomes, improved ROM, and enhanced alignment accuracy compared with conventional TKA. Despite increased operative time and higher infrastructural costs, robotic-assisted systems may offer meaningful clinical advantages in modern knee arthroplasty. Long-term multicenter studies are required to determine whether these early benefits translate into sustained clinical improvement and implant survivorship.