The importance to generate robotically milled cavities for total hip implantation. Experimental study: Hand broaching versus robotic bone preparation

Abstract

We present an experimental study to determine the effectiveness of computer assisted robotic bone preparation with regard to primary rotational stability in comparison to hand broaching. 5 different cementless stems were standardized implanted in synthetic femora and measured in a specially designed apparatus (displacement in 6 degrees of freedom). In addition the contact areas of the stems and the bone were visualized. The S-ROM- and ABG-stems were more stable in hand broached femora. The Osteolock-, G(2)- and Vision-2000-stems were more stable in the robot group. The mode of fixation of each implant could be characterized in relation to its position and its stiffness (primary rotational stability). The contact areas differed in some prosthesis in the way of preparation. The findings highlight the current difficulties in creating a perfect match of robotically milled cavity and stem geometry to achieve enhanced stability.