Robotic-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Has Similar Rates of Prosthetic Noise Generation as Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND

Noise has been reported to occur with relatively high frequency after conventional total knee arthroplasty (C-TKA), and this may impact the incidence of patient satisfaction and function. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of patient-reported prosthetic noise generation after robotically-assisted TKA (RA-TKA) and C-TKA.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted of unilateral primary RA-TKAs and C-TKAs performed between 2018 and 2021. Patients completed a survey consisting of 4 Likert scale questions related to prosthetic noise generation and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Score Joint Replacement and Forgotten Joint Score were assessed prospectively preoperatively and at a minimum of 1-year of clinical follow-up. Statistical analysis was done utilizing T-tests and chi-square tests, with statistical significance defined as a -value < .05.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-two RA-TKAs and 320 C-TKAs with similar baseline characteristics and functions were included. There were no significant differences in hearing or feeling grinding, popping, clicking, or clunking (40.7% vs 38.1%;  = .647) between groups. Most RA-TKAs and C-TKAs were not dissatisfied regarding noise generation (70.4% vs 73.1%;  = .596). In both cohorts, patients who reported noise generation had lower average Forgotten Joint Scores (45.5 vs 66.1; < .001) and lower postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Score Joint Replacement scores (72.0 vs 81.4; < .001) than those who did not experience noise generation.

CONCLUSIONS

While RA-TKA may facilitate soft tissue balancing, there were no differences in prosthetic noise generation between RA-TKA and C-TKA. However, those who experience implant-generated noise have lower functional outcome scores.