What are the disadvantages of robotic joint replacement?

One disadvantage of robotic joint replacement is that the technology can increase the cost of surgery because specialised equipment, software, imaging, and trained surgical teams may be required. The exact additional cost varies between hospitals and robotic platforms.

Some systems require a pre-operative CT scan, which adds an additional appointment and a small amount of radiation exposure. Other robotic systems do not require CT imaging, so this disadvantage does not apply to every robotic procedure.

Robotic surgery can also require additional operating-room preparation and may take longer during certain stages. Systems that use bone-mounted tracking pins introduce a small additional risk of pin-site complications, and technical problems with the equipment can occasionally require the operation to continue using conventional instruments.

Dr. Atul Mishra does not recommend robotic technology simply because it is available. At ASIC Clinic, the choice between robotic-assisted, computer-navigated, and conventional joint replacement is based on the patient’s anatomy, joint condition, medical profile, and surgical requirements. Greater technical precision is useful, but it does not guarantee a superior result for every patient.