Accuracy of implant alignment and early results after minimally invasive vs conventional OrthoPilot-navigated Columbus TKA.

The goal of this study was to evaluate potential risks and benefits of minimally invasive vs conventional approaches in navigated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in 50 patients. Preoperatively, no statistically significant differences between the two groups were found for deformity, range of motion (ROM), clinical scores, and ligament stability in the native joint or after prosthesis implantation measurements intraoperatively. Postoperatively, there were no significant differences between the two groups for deformity and clinical scores. In contrast, significantly less pain according to VAS measures and quicker improvements in ROM during the first 10 postoperative days were experienced in the minimally invasive group. Complication rates were similar in both groups. According to our results, minimally invasive navigated TKA is characterized by high implant positioning accuracy, soft tissue management quality, and complication rates similar to those for conventional approaches. Compared with the conventional approach, minimally invasive TKA provides superior functional results and less pain in the early postoperative period.