Objective To investigate the development and appl ication of the computer aided surgery systems in the joint surgery field. Methods The l iteratures were extensively reviewed to analysis the usefulness of current active, semi-active and passive computer aided surgery systems in solving the cl inical problems of joint surgery. Results Several computer aided surgery systems have met the high technique demands, such as the precision of anatomical position and orientation, the accuracy of normal l imb al ignment restoration, the optimum of instrumentation control in arthroplasty, peri-articular osteotomy and minimally invasive procedure. Conclusion Computer aided joint surgery systems facil itate precise surgical techniques to achieve ideal operative outcome.