Improved precision and Reduced Technical Errors in Total Knee Arthroplasty Using the Velys Robotic-Assisted Solution:...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Robotics
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patient dissatisfaction persists due to implant positioning and alignment variability.
• Achieving optimal limb alignment and precise component placement is critical for TKA success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the surgical precision, coronal alignment, and early clinical safety of the VELYSTM imageless robotic system against conventional instrumentation in TKA.
• To evaluate the impact of robotic assistance on specific intraoperative parameters and postoperative radiographic outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 342 TKAs: 198 conventional, 144 robotic-assisted (VELYSTM).
• Analysis of clinical parameters: anterior femoral notching, tibial stem placement, insert size.
• Radiographic assessment: mechanical hip-knee-ankle axis (HKA), distal femoral/proximal tibial angles, joint line orientation.
• One-year complication rates recorded.

Main Results:

• Robotic TKA significantly reduced anterior femoral notching (13.9% vs. 25.3%, p=0.04) and need for tibial stem extension (15.3% vs. 24.2%, p=0.01).
• Robotic assistance led to reduced average insert thickness (5.7 vs. 6.04 mm, p=0.003) and less variability in postoperative alignment.
• Fewer alignment outliers and unintended valgus tibial cuts were observed with robotic assistance.
• Complication rates were low and not attributable to the robotic system.

Conclusions:

• The VELYSTM Robotic-Assisted Solution enhances surgical precision and radiographic outcomes in TKA compared to conventional techniques.
• Robotic guidance improves intraoperative decision-making, reducing femoral notching and optimizing implant positioning.
• Imageless robotic assistance is a safe and effective technology for improving TKA results.