30 papers · updated 2026-09-26 · General Orthopaedics · All topics
The newest papers on robotic orthopaedic surgery from the orthopaedic journals The Reduction reads, newest first, each with a one-line summary. The list is drawn from the digest’s archive and refreshed every week.
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Multicenter registry study finds robotic-assisted navigation achieves 97% accurate pedicle screw placement in early onset scoliosis surgery, though technical challenges like registration and calibration issues were common.
Robotic Arthroplasty in Context: Balancing Evidence and Innovation in Joint Replacement.
This review finds robotic-assisted arthroplasty improves component positioning precision but has not shown consistent gains in patient outcomes or implant survivorship, urging outcome-driven adoption over reliance on technical precision alone.
In this randomized trial, robotic-assisted functional alignment TKA produced modestly better 2-year patient-reported outcomes (function, satisfaction, pain) than conventional mechanically aligned TKA.
In fragility pelvic fractures (type III/IV), robot-assisted reduction achieved better reduction quality and 1-year mobility than manual/navigation-assisted fixation, though a survival benefit was not confirmed.
In a randomized trial, robotic-assisted medial UKA achieved more accurate component positioning, less pain, shorter hospital stay, and better mid-term Forgotten Joint Scores than jig-based UKA, though standard PROMs were similar.
Public Perceptions of Robotic-Assisted Shoulder Arthroplasty in the United States.
A survey of 615 US adults found generally favorable but overestimated public perceptions of robotic-assisted shoulder arthroplasty, with most still preferring an experienced non-robotic surgeon over a less experienced robotic one.
This meta-analysis of over 20,000 cases found CT-guided robotic-arm-assisted UKA had a low complication rate (3.8%) and fewer overall complications than manual UKA (5.5%), supporting its safety.
In eight cadavers, robotic-assisted sacropelvic screw placement guided by radiation-free 3D MRI achieved 95.8% Grade A accuracy, suggesting a feasible alternative to fluoroscopy/CT navigation.
In a large propensity-matched database study, robotic-assisted THA in patients with lumbar fusion or stiff spine showed lower rates of prosthetic complications, dislocation, transfusion, and revision compared to manual THA, supporting robotic precision in this high-risk group.
In robotic-assisted CR-TKA using functional alignment, medial joint line elevation (but not lateral changes) was linked to worse 1-year patient-reported outcomes, suggesting surgeons should avoid unnecessary medial elevation while modest depression appears acceptable.
Propensity-matched analysis found robotic-assisted revision TKA had fewer mechanical implant complications, less opioid use, and lower 3-year revision rates than manual revision, with similar infection and readmission rates.
Cadaveric robotic testing showed isolated posterolateral corner injury causes only modest hyperextension/external rotation, so a positive recurvatum test likely requires combined posterior capsule, ACL, and PLC injury—favoring dial and varus tests for isolated PLC injury.
Robotic-assisted UKA-to-TKA conversion used fewer revision stems, less constrained polyethylene, shorter surgical time, and lower cost than manual conversion.
This viewpoint argues that as robotics and registries generate vast arthroplasty data, unclear governance risks shifting control from surgeons and patients to industry, and proposes a framework for transparency, data portability, and independent oversight.
In robot-assisted THA, predictors of reaching a patient-acceptable symptom state varied by outcome measure used, with spinopelvic mismatch, low back pain, and Tönnis grade 3 consistently influential—supporting personalized outcome assessment.
In a retrospective cohort of 89 pelvic fracture patients, AI-assisted Holosight robotic percutaneous screw fixation reduced operative time, blood loss, and fluoroscopy use versus conventional fixation, with similar functional outcomes.
In cadaver testing, intra-incisional pin placement for robotic TKA trackers provided significantly greater torsional rigidity and fewer fractures than extra-incisional pinning, suggesting a safer technique for early postoperative ambulation.
In 479 robotic-arm-assisted TKAs, restoring posterior condylar offset and joint-line position correlated with better pain relief and functional outcomes, suggesting these should guide sagittal alignment planning.
Robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty achieves comparable functional outcomes and low complications in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients when viral suppression is maintained.
Robotic-assisted functional alignment total knee arthroplasty yields comparable early outcomes regardless of tibial varus severity, with modest pain improvement in less severe deformities.
Cementless robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty reduces septic revision risk compared to cemented fixation at five-year follow-up.
Robotic bi-unicompartmental knee arthroplasty achieves comparable five-year outcomes to total knee arthroplasty for medial-lateral arthritis, offering viable patient-specific alternative.
Robotic total hip arthroplasty achieves high accuracy in complex hip anatomy with excellent short-term survivorship, functional outcomes, and patient satisfaction.
The REAL classification for mediolateral imbalance in robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty was independently validated with improved imbalance following intraoperative balancing.
This review outlines the rationale, potential benefits, and implementation challenges of robotic-assisted reverse shoulder arthroplasty, aimed at improving implant positioning accuracy.
Robotic hand surgery: current insights and future directions.
This review discusses emerging and in-development robotic surgical systems for hand surgery, addressing challenges posed by its mix of bony and microsurgical procedures.
Robotics in arthroplasty: how good are they?
Robotic-assisted knee and hip arthroplasty improve accuracy; shoulder applications emerging but cost, training, and long-term efficacy remain challenging.
Role of Robotic Gait Simulators in Elucidating Foot and Ankle Pathomechanics.
Robotic gait simulators advance understanding of foot and ankle pathomechanics, bone kinematics, muscle/ligament function, and implant performance in controlled cadaveric studies.
Not All Robotic-assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Are the Same.
Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty improves component positioning and alignment precision, addressing technical errors and improving patient satisfaction rates.
Surgeon proficiency in robot-assisted spine surgery.
This narrative review discusses how robotic platforms are being adopted in spine surgery and outlines training tools and ethical considerations needed to ensure surgeon proficiency.
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