Versatile Application of Navigation System for Total Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

The navigation system helps to perform an accurate and reproducible operation by real-time continuous feedback during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Although the incidence of malalignment after conventional TKA had been reported to be up to 20%–30%, navigationassisted TKA has shown excellent radiologic results in terms of accurate implant position and mechanical alignment. In addition, the navigation system provides continuous feedback on the extension and flexion gaps that change depending on the bone resection and soft tissue release. Furthermore, the navigation system can be useful in patients with extra-articular deformity or retaining instruments. Robotassisted TKA is a newly developed surgical method that combines the navigation registration technique with bone resection using a robotic arm. A postoperative change in the kinematic axis can be evaluated by comparing the pre- and postoperative functional flexion axis using navigation data. If the functional flexion axis can be provided in real-time in the navigation system, it is expected to be used as a new surgical parameter for the rotational alignment of the femoral component and help restore the patient’s flexion axis postoperatively.