Quality of life after computer assisted total knee arthroplasty using the OrthoPilot System

摘要

Introduction: It is well-established that the use of computer navigation in knee arthroplasty can lead to excellent postoperative results. Nevertheless it is often criticised that the technique is nothing more than a cosmetic modification of the standard operation leading to more complications and less patient satisfaction. However, almost every second patient is not free of pain after knee arthroplasty. In the current literature there is a lack of studies investigating quality of life, functional outcome and pain after computer assisted knee arthroplasty. Methods: 52 patients (16 male, 36 female.; average age 68 years) were investigated before and 6 months after computer navigated knee arthroplasty (OrthoPilot navigation system, a computed tomography (CT)-free system, Aes-culap, Tuttlingen, Germany) regarding functional outcome and quality of life. We used the SF-36 questionnaire, the visual analog scale (VAS), the Lequesne Score and the Knee Society Score for assessment. The operation has been carried out by one surgeon only; the examination after treatment was performed by a physician familiar with the scores.