Dr. Jeffrey DeClaire’s recent article in Orthopedics Today highlights the crucial role of ligament balance in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and introduces a revolutionary robotic-assisted technique to enhance surgical precision.
Unbalanced ligament tension often leads to complications and patient dissatisfaction in knee replacement surgeries. The article emphasizes the significance of addressing the soft tissue envelope and discusses the limitations of traditional methods for assessing ligament balance. Dr. DeClaire introduces the OMNIBotics BalanceBot, a robotic system that incorporates a soft tissue tension device to predict postoperative gaps before femoral resection. The system provides objective data, eliminating the reliance on subjective information and enabling surgeons to plan implant placement accurately. The article outlines the stepwise procedure, from applying sensors to assessing ligament abnormalities through a range of motion to executing the planned femoral implant position using the robotic cutting arm and computer navigation. The use of this innovative robotic system results in improved clinical outcomes, heightened precision, and increased patient satisfaction, with recent studies reporting a 97.4% satisfaction rate compared to 81.4% in non-robotic knee replacement surgeries. The technology offers a powerful tool for surgeons, with fewer soft tissue releases, reduced pain, and predictable outcomes.