Abstract
The Trent Arthroplasty Audit Group has been prospectively collecting data on primary knee arthroplasty since 1990 and revision procedures since 1992. Details of 27 000 primary and 1300 revision knee arthroplasties have been registered. In 2001 hospitals in Wales joined the group, increasing the catchment population to 8 million (14% of the UK population). The register has enabled evaluation of changes in the demography and surgical practice of knee arthroplasty in the Trent region over the past 13 years.
Over this period there has been a steady increase in the number of arthroplasties registered, from 1330 cases in 1990 to 2855 in 2002. Whilst there has been a slight increase in the proportion of men undergoing surgery, the age distribution remains consistent (mean age 69 years). PFC/Sigma is currently the most commonly used prosthesis in the region.
Since 1990 the number of patients registered with rheumatoid arthritis has fallen by almost 50%. During this period there has also been a slight decrease in the proportion of uncemented joints and a decline in the number of bilateral simultaneous procedures taking place.
The ratio of primary to revision knee arthroplasty has not changed significantly since 1992 but there is some evidence of specialisation of revision knee surgery. There has been no significant change in patient satisfaction rates since the start of the registry, with 80% of patients reporting that they are satisfied with their joint replacement at 1 year.
Conclusion: It is reasonable to assume that these findings reflect practice across the UK as a whole, given the diversity of hospitals contributing and the large population base of the Trent & Wales register.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Tim Briggs. (Editoral Secretary 2003/4) Correspondence should be addressed to him at Lane Farm, Chapel Lane, Totternhoe, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 2BZ, United Kingdom
