Mini-incision versus mini-incision and computer-assisted surgery in total knee replacement: a radiological prospective randomised study

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to compare the radiological results of 74 patients undergoing a mini-invasive total knee replacement (TKR) using either a traditional alignment guide (MIS group) or a computer assisted alignment system (MICA group). All the patients were prospectively randomised to either group and the same implant was used for both groups. At 8 months post-operatively, the frontal femoral component angle (FFC), the frontal tibial component angle (FTC), the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) and the sagittal orientation of components (slopes) were evaluated respectively. The slopes of the femoral component and the FTC angle were statistically better aligned in the MICA group (p<0.001). The MICA group showed both a significant fewer number of outliners and a significant higher number of implants with all five radiological parameters ideally aligned. The operative time was statistically longer in the computer assisted group.