Computer-assisted navigation in total knee arthroplasty

Computer-assisted navigation is increasingly developing into a standard procedure in total knee arthroplasty. Recently it was shown that computer navigation not only corrects leg alignment and positioning of the prosthesis but also allows a precise ligament balancing as well as a better judgment and an accurate tuning of intra-articular and extra-articular bone deformities. Nowadays asurface replacement prostheses can be implanted in many cases where a constraint solution was previously necessary. The method is useful particularly in patients with posttraumatic arthritis by straightening out bone deformities and adjusting unstable and/or scarred ligaments. The procedure does not have any essential disadvantages and on the contrary computer-assisted navigation seems to provide even more benefits. Economically it can be anticipated that computer-assisted navigation will be cost-effective in the medium and long term but the final proof is still lacking.