Clinical outcome and quality of life after computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty: results from a prospective, single-surgeon study and review of the literature.

Despite excellent results, there is a lack of prospective studies analysing functional outcome and quality of life after computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty. Fifty-two patients were investigated before and 6 months after surgery with the OrthoPilot navigation system (Aesculap, Germany). We used the SF-36 Health Survey, the visual analog scale (VAS), the Lequesne score and the Knee Society Score (KSS) for assessment. The operation was carried out by one single surgeon. At follow-up, the study population achieved a significant pain reduction on the VAS from 71 to 21 points, an average decline of the Lequesne score from 16 to 7 points coming along with a significant ascent of the KSS from 84 to 157 points. Concerning the SF-36 Health Survey, most of the patients re-achieved age- and gender-matched scores. Poor results were obtained in patients with multiple comorbidities and a severe flexion contracture preoperative.