Perceptions, Expectations and Barriers to Robotic- Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cross-Sectional Study of 218 Patients
E.F. Temponi, Á.C. Castro, V.R. De Miranda, L.H. De Carvalho Junior, M.B.J. Goncalves, L.F.M. SoaresObjective:
To evaluate orthopedic patients' perceptions regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, with emphasis on its application in orthopedics, investigating prior knowledge, level of trust, acceptability across different clinical scenarios, and major concerns related to this technology.
Methods:
An observational, analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at a general orthopedic outpatient clinic of a private hospital between March and April 2026. Consecutive sampling was employed. Participants completed a structured digital questionnaire organized into thematic blocks. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. The minimum estimated sample size was 267 participants; 300 valid questionnaires were ultimately analyzed.
Results:
A predominantly favorable perception of AI use was observed, particularly when AI was positioned as a supportive tool rather than a substitute for professional clinical judgment. Greater acceptance was noted in scenarios involving diagnostic support, clinical information organization, and therapeutic planning. Relevant concerns regarding data privacy, the risk of errors, loss of humanization, and ethical limits of the technology persisted. In multivariable analysis, male sex, older age, and prior chatbot use were independently associated with higher acceptance in specific outcomes.
Conclusion:
In this sample of orthopedic patients, a generally favorable attitude toward AI was observed, especially when understood as complementary to medical practice. Nevertheless, concerns related to safety, privacy, professional responsibility, and preservation of the physician-patient relationship remained relevant. These findings reinforce the importance of ethical, transparent, and patient-centered implementation of AI technologies in orthopedic practice.