COMPUTER-ASSISTED KNEE REPLACEMENT

Accurate alignment of knee implants is essential for the success of to tal knee replacement. Although mechanical alignment guides have been d esigned to improve alignment accuracy, there are several fundamental l imitations of this technology that will inhibit additional improvement s. Various computer assisted techniques have been developed to examine the potential to install knee implants more accurately and consistent ly than can be done with mechanical guides. For example, computer inte grated instrumentation incorporates highly accurate measurement device s to locate joint centers, track surgical tools, and align prosthetic components. Image guided knee replacement provides a three-dimensional preoperative plan that guides the placement of the cutting blocks and prosthetic components. Robot assisted knee replacement allows one to machine bones accurately without the use of standard cutting blocks. T he rationale for the development of computer assisted knee replacement systems is presented, the operation of several different systems is d escribed, the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches are discussed, and areas for future research are suggested.