Osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogeneous group of diseases of various etiologies based on the defeat of all components of the joint. OA is one of the main causes of disability in older people. To date, joint replacement is the most clinical and cost-effective method of the terminal stage treatment. The short and long-term success of total joint replacement is closely related to the accuracy of the prosthesis implantation. Published studies show that the accuracy of prosthesis implantation can be intraoperatively controlled by computed navigation and robotic systems better than by traditional methods.

In order to assess the clinical effectiveness of the technologies, we have conducted a literature search in the MEDLINE database. We included studies that reported a comparison of outcomes between conventional methods, computer navigation and robot-assisted surgery.

The results of this literature review are based on six systematic reviews with meta-analyses (101 studies representing 482,367 cases) and one national joint replacement registry. The outcomes compared included Knee Society Score (KSS)-function, alignment correction, mechanical axis (varus and vagus deviance >3°), prosthesis positioning, soft tissues balancing and functional outcomes. Thus, the cumulative success rate in the computed navigation and robotic systems group was reported to be 86.7 percent, which is crucial considering its lowered rate of revision (3%), correct mechanical axis (≤3%) and functional status.

The literature review demonstrates a high potential of the computed navigation and robotics systems in the intraoperative monitoring of important surgical parameters for achieving the best intervention outcomes. All the clinical endpoints were significantly better by comparison with conventional method.