How do computer-assisted navigation or robotic guidance affect alignment accuracy in knee arthroplasty?

• A. Increases setup time and requires training
• B. Improves coronal, sagittal, and rotational alignment accuracy
• C. Reduces alignment accuracy
• D. Eliminates the need for planning

Answer: (B)

Computer-assisted navigation and robotic guidance aim to improve how accurately the knee prosthesis is aligned during knee replacement. These systems provide real-time tracking of bones and instruments, allowing the surgeon to plan and execute bone cuts with high precision. By guiding the cuts and implant placement toward the planned angles, they typically improve alignment in all three planes—coronal, sagittal, and rotational—reducing outliers and bringing the achieved alignment closer to the target. This precision matters because better alignment supports even load distribution, reduces wear, and can extend implant longevity. While there can be more setup time and a learning curve, those factors affect workflow rather than the fundamental improvement in alignment accuracy.