Utilization of Robotic Arm Assistance for Revision of Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: With increasing numbers of knee arthroplasty procedures being performed, revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a challenge to orthopedic surgeons. The use of robotics in primary joint arthroplasty is also increasing due to better technology and surgeon familiarity. Robotic arms have the ability to execute bone cuts within 1 mm of a preoperative plan, can measure soft tissue gap tension, and can plan femoral and tibial augments and rotation. The use of robotic arm assistance for revision TKA, however, has not been documented in the literature. CASE REPORT: We present a case describing a novel technique in which the Mako robot (Stryker, Ft. Lauderdale, FL) was utilized for revision of a failed primary TKA secondary to aseptic loosening. The patient is a 68-year-old Caucasian male who underwent right revision TKA with robotic assistance. Stryker Triathlon TS implants were utilized with the use of both femoral and tibial cones and medial and lateral posterior femoral augments. He had satisfactory component alignment based on postoperative radiographs, and excellent clinical outcomes 6 months postoperatively.
CONCLUSION: The use of robotic arm assistance in revision TKA for failed primary TKA is a novel technique and resulted in excellent operative outcomes in this case. Further study should be done to confirm its use in revision TKA. Copyright: © Indian Orthopaedic Research Group.

Robotic arm assistance in revision total knee arthroplasty is a viable technique and can result in satisfactory alignment of components and excellent patient short term outcomes.

Introduction

Robotic arm assistance in total joint arthroplasty is becoming more popular in the orthopedic field. Recent data have shown a significant increase in robotic utilization in hip and knee arthroplasty in both hospitals and surgeons over the past decade [1]. Current applications of robotic assistance for joint arthroplasty include unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), total hip arthroplasty, and primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Robotic-assisted TKA has been shown to result in more accurate bone cuts [2], fewer mechanical axis outliers [3], and more optimal alignment when compared to manual TKA [4].

The number of revision TKA (rTKA) cases in the United States is also increasing [5]. Common reasons for rTKA include infection, aseptic loosening, and periprosthetic fracture [6]. rTKA poses numerous challenges to both the surgeon and patient. These include malrotation of components, instability, excessive loss of bone stock, and damage to nearby anatomical structures. At our institution, robotic arm-assisted surgeries are performed using Mako technology (Stryker, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida). Performing revision arthroplasty surgery with robotic arm assistance is considered “off-label” as there is no application within the Mako system to support it. However, by obtaining a preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan and using the normal preoperative Makoplasty protocol, a patient’s current implants can be treated as if they were native bone to develop a preoperative plan.

There is a paucity of literature on robotic-assisted rTKA including just one case report [7] and one retrospective review [8]. All previous studies demonstrated the use of robotics in conversion of failed UKA to TKA. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first case of rTKA with robotic arm assistance due to failure of primary TKA.

Case Report

This is a case of a 68-year-old male who presented to our institution for evaluation of the right TKA. He underwent his index TKA in December 2018 at an outside institution. He did not have any significant medical history. He had a good recovery after surgery, but 6 months postoperatively he developed discomfort in the right knee. He presented to our office approximately 2 years after his index procedure for evaluation of his right knee after failing conservative management (Fig. 1). He subsequently underwent testing to rule out component loosening and infection. His clinical examination as well as a bone scan suggested loosening of the tibial component. His laboratory workup including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell, and joint aspiration was negative for prosthetic joint infection. After a lengthy discussion regarding the risks and benefits of the procedure, he elected to proceed with right rTKA with Mako robotic assistance. A Stryker Triathlon revision knee system was planned to be used for this case.

Figure 1

Preoperative standing anteroposterior, lateral, and sunrise radiographs.

In the operating room, the patient underwent spinal anesthesia. Physical examination confirmed a flexion stop at 105 degrees, a 15-degree extension lag, and stable varus/valgus balance. A tourniquet was used during the procedure and the limb was prepped with chlorhexidine prior to draping.

A midline incision was used over the previous surgical scar, and a medial arthrotomy was performed. On inspection of the joint, the femoral and tibial components appeared to be appropriately sized and in good rotation. The patellar button was also of appropriate size. The knee was found to be tight in flexion and somewhat loose in extension. The 9 mm polyethylene tray was first removed and then the femoral and tibial checkpoints along with the Mako array pins were secured into the distal femur and proximal tibia. Hip center of rotation was then obtained, followed by plotting the femoral and tibial reference points on the existing components (Fig. 2). The 9 mm polyethylene insert was then placed back into the tibial tray in order to obtain our starting flexion and extension numbers. We used a tensioner (Fig. 3) with the implants in place to determine our flexion and extension gaps. This information was used for our operative plan to determine our resections and possible needs for augmentation (Fig. 4a). The press-fit femoral and tibial components were then carefully removed with an osteotome. This did not result in any significant bone loss to either the femur or tibia. The patellar button was thoroughly examined and found to be well-fixed and in good position and was left intact. Utilizing our operative plan, the Mako robotic arm with saw attachment was used to perform very minimal fresh cuts to the distal, anterior, and posterior femur, as well as the chamfer cuts. The posterior femur cuts did not resect any bone either medially or laterally. By using robotic technology, we were able to move the plan for the posterior femoral cut 5 mm anterior in order to resect to the level of posterior bone. With this adjustment, we were able to plan to use 5 mm posterior augments both medially and laterally (Fig. 4b). We then turned our attention to the tibia and again performed a robotically assisted minimal fresh cut according to our Mako plan.

Figure 2

Intra-operative mapping directly on the current implants. The implants represent native bone for the preoperative plan and registration process.

Figure 3

Intraoperative image of the tensioner used to determine the flexion and extension gaps with original components in place. Gap measurements are captured and utilized to adjust the operative plan in order to balance the knee in flexion (top row) and extension (bottom row). The gaps of the operative plan are located in the lower right corner of the planning screen.

Figure 4

(a and b) demonstrates initial preoperative plan after registering the knee and determining our flexion and extension gaps. While performing the distal femur cuts with the robotic arm, it was determined that initial resection levels were not involving any posterior condyle. As a result, after all of the distal femur cuts were made, the plan was then moved 5 mm anterior (b), and the posterior cuts were repeated as quality bone was encountered at that level.

An intramedullary tibial alignment rod was used for centering the conical reamer in the tibia, and this was reamed to a size A cone. The TS femoral box cuts were performed, and conical reaming was again performed over an intramedullary guide on the femur to a size 1-2 cone. Trial components were then inserted and the knee was found to balance very well with a 13 mm trial polyethylene insert. All remaining cement was then removed from the bone surfaces, and remaining osteophytes were removed from around the patella. The joint was copiously irrigated with Irrisept (Irrimax Corp, Gainseville, FL) and normal saline. The tibial and femoral components were then cemented into place. A 13 mm polyethylene insert was used and the knee balanced quite well in full extension, mid flexion, and flexion to 90 degrees. The knee ranged from 0 to 135 degrees and had smooth and centered patellar tracking. Post-operative AP and lateral radiographs can be seen in figure 5.

Figure 5

Anteroposterior and lateral post-op radiographs of right total knee arthroplasty revision utilizing robotic arm assistance. Implants used: Femur–Cemented Stryker Triathlon TS #5 with 15 mm × 50 mm stem, 10 mm medial and lateral posterior augments, and size 1-2 tritanium cone; Tibia–Cemented Stryker Triathlon universal tibial baseplate size 4 with 12 mm × 50 mm stem, and size A tritanium cone; Polyethylene–Stryker Triathlon ×3, size 4 TS × 13 mm; An Artisan Bone Plug Med was used in the tibia and femur.

The patient was given a postoperative adductor canal block. His postoperative course was uneventful. He completed his hospital physical therapy regimen and was discharged home on postoperative day two in excellent condition. The patient followed up at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. He participated in 3 months of outpatient physical therapy to help with his range of motion and strength. The patient’s visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores decreased at each clinic visit. By his 6-week appointment, his VAS pain score was 1/10 and he was not taking any narcotic pain medication. At most recent follow-up, the patient was able to ambulate without assistive devices and only took ibuprofen for occasional soreness after strenuous activity. His range of motion was 0-135 degrees, and his strength was equal to his other leg.

Discussion

Robotic-assisted TKA has been and continues to be, developed to increase the accuracy, precision, and safety during knee arthroplasty [9]. There are numerous studies suggesting that robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty results in more accurate bone cuts, component placement, and deformity correction [2, 3, 10]. Several studies have also reported on decreased soft tissue complication rates associated with robotic-assisted TKA [11, 12] including one cadaver study that showed decreased damage to the PCL when comparing robotic-assisted and manual cruciate-retaining TKA [13]. In addition to accuracy and safety, a number of studies have recently been published addressing patient satisfaction after robotic TKA, many of which suggest that robotics may help improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes [14, 15].

Revision knee arthroplasty is an increasing challenge for the orthopedic surgeon, with rising case numbers secondary to infection, aseptic loosening and instability, peri-prosthetic fracture, and progression of arthritic disease [6]. While there continues to be an abundance of research dedicated to the use and outcomes of robotic-assisted primary UKA and TKA, there are currently only two studies focusing on the use of robotics in revision knee arthroplasty. Both of these studied UKA conversion to TKA. An exhaustive literature review utilizing PubMed was performed using the keywords: Robotic; Revision knee arthroplasty; TKA; UKA.

In 2020, Kalavrytinos et al. presented the first described case of robotic conversion of failed UKA to TKA [7]. This study presented an 87-year-old female with a stiff and painful knee with a malpositioned UKA resulting in significant varus deformity. Similar to our presented case, Kalavrytinos et al. utilized Mako technology, Stryker Triathlon implants, and they developed an operative plan that treated the patient’s current implants as native bone. The authors also utilized robotic technology to over-resect the medial tibia in order to place 10 mm augments, similar to what we did on the medial and lateral posterior femur, which also required augmentation. Their final components were a Stryker CR Triathlon knee with an 11 mm polyethylene insert and 10 mm medial tibial augment. 1 year postoperatively their patient had full knee range of motion, could ambulate without assistance and could climb stairs.

Also in 2020, Yun et al. presented the first case series of 34 failed UKAs, half of which were converted robotically to TKA, and half converted manually [8]. No revision components were used in either group. All conversions were performed using primary implants. The authors did observe a difference in the use of stems and augments, with 29% of knees manually converted requiring augments, and 0% of robotically converted knees requiring augments (P = 0.04), however, the manually converted knees utilized a system where stems and augments could be added to their primary components. The authors state they do not believe robotic assistance is inferior to a manual approach in UKA to TKA conversion surgery, however, their study did not offer any clinical outcomes or alignment statistics, only proof of concept. In contrast to our study and the case report by Kalavrytinos et al., Yun et al. did not treat the existing implants as native bone. They used the patient’s remaining bone stock after implant removal to map the bone surfaces on the CT model. Although there was scatter artifact on the pre-op CT, they state the registration passed the 0.5 mm threshold.

The use of robotic assistance in revision knee arthroplasty is not yet licensed or approved by the FDA. The success of this case report, as well as previous studies describing robotics in revision knee arthroplasty [7, 8] questions if this will happen. With frequent advances in robotic technology and software capabilities, the potential for better operative outcomes and broader indications with robotic assistance appears to be increasing. Additional applications to this technology may include shoulder arthroplasty, implantation of megaprostheses for periarticular limb reconstruction, and complex revision hip and knee surgery.

Conclusion

To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first case report to describe the use of robotic arm assist for revision of a failed primary TKA. The surgeon (AK) elected to use Mako technology and a Stryker Triathlon knee revision system. The patient had acceptable radiographic outcomes as assessed on postoperative radiographs by the authors, and the patient had excellent clinical outcomes 6 months postoperatively, with no complaints of knee pain, instability events, or stiffness. The use of robotic technology in rTKA for failed primary TKA is a new technique, and further study should be done to verify its use.

The use of robotic-arm assistance in revision knee arthroplasty is a new, but useful technique. Robotic technology can map over previous implants, make accurate bony cuts, tension soft tissues, and plan for augmentation in cases of bony deficiency. Its use, in this case, resulted in excellent clinical outcomes.

Declaration of patient consent : The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient’s parents have given their consent for patient images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient’s parents understand that his names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Conflict of interest:Nil Source of support:None