There’s a difference between planning a surgery well and executing it precisely once you’re actually in the OT. Navigated joint surgery is about the second part — using computer-assisted tracking during the operation itself to confirm alignment and positioning in real time, rather than relying purely on visual judgment.
How It Works
Navigation systems track the position of surgical instruments and the patient’s bone anatomy in real time during the procedure, cross-checking implant alignment and positioning against the pre-surgical plan as the surgery happens. It’s a layer of intraoperative confirmation on top of the 3D planning already done beforehand through RoboEye ER for knee cases.
Where It Adds the Most Value
- Complex deformity cases where standard alignment landmarks are harder to judge visually
- Revision surgery, where normal bone landmarks may be altered or missing
- Cases requiring very precise ligament balancing
- Patients with prior fractures affecting normal bone geometry
For a straightforward case in fairly normal anatomy, an experienced surgeon can achieve excellent alignment without navigation. It’s in the harder cases — significant deformity, revision surgery, unusual anatomy — where real-time navigation earns its place, catching what visual judgment alone might miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between navigated surgery and robotic surgery?
Navigation is a real-time tracking and confirmation system used during surgery; RoboEye ER’s robotic-assisted planning happens beforehand, building a 3D surgical plan from your CT scan. The two work together — the plan is made in advance, and navigation helps confirm it’s being executed accurately during the operation.
Is navigated surgery only used for complex cases?
It can be used for any joint replacement, but the benefit is most noticeable in complex deformity or revision cases where normal anatomical landmarks are harder to judge by eye alone.
Does navigated surgery take longer than conventional surgery?
Typically adds some time to the procedure for the tracking and confirmation steps, though this varies by case and surgical team experience.
Is navigated surgery safer than conventional surgery?
It adds a layer of real-time verification during the procedure, which can reduce the risk of alignment errors, particularly in anatomically challenging cases. It doesn’t eliminate all surgical risk.