Using Sensors to Evaluate Revision TKA: Treating the “Looks Good; Feels Bad” Knee

Despite long-term success rates associated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a large proportion of patients continue to report dissatisfaction with their surgical outcomes. Complications such as pain, stiffness, or instability can reduce a patient’s quality of life and may be attributed to soft-tissue imbalance. The cause of imbalance related complications is often difficult to diagnose, but if unresolved may lead to early total revision surgery. However, these procedures are associated with a higher risk of post-operative complications, elicit longer rehabilitation regimes, and can become a financial burden to the patient and healthcare provider. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if the use of intraoperative sensors during revision TKA led to a decreased need for all-component revision. In this review, 88% of intended total component revisions were changed to partial revisions based on the surgeons’ interpretation of the sensor feedback. This sparing of components saved an estimated $4,990 in healthcare provider implant costs, per case.