Coventry and Warwickshire led trial on robotic knee surgery reveals comparable patient outcomes
World's largest study by local institutions highlights precision advantages without improved results
A groundbreaking trial led by Coventry and Warwickshire institutions has shown that robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery offers precision benefits but does not enhance patient outcomes compared to traditional procedures.
The RACER-Knee trial, coordinated by the University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, is the largest clinical study of its kind and has been published in The Lancet.
Despite robotic systems being used in six per cent of surgeries in the UK, the trial found that patients experienced similar recovery, mobility, and pain levels one year after surgery, regardless of the method used.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the trial compared conventional total knee replacement with surgery assisted by the Stryker Mako robotic system.
Professor Andrew Metcalfe, involved in the study at Warwick Medical School and UHCW NHS Trust, highlighted the importance: “We are delighted to have completed this world-leading randomised trial of an exciting technology that is now being used globally and at scale.”
Professor Edward Davis from The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust elaborated on potential future benefits of robotic precision: “The trial demonstrates robotic-arm-assistance allows for higher precision, and in theory the system should allow surgeons to customise the procedure according to a patient's anatomy.”
The trial involved 339 patients from 10 hospitals across the UK, assessing results through various measures, including joint awareness, pain levels, and the likelihood of requiring further surgery.
Despite taking longer and costing more, robotic procedures matched traditional methods in patient safety, with no increased risk of serious adverse events.
These findings pave the way for future research to optimise robotic systems for personalised surgical approaches, potentially improving outcomes over time.