Aims. The rate of day-case total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the UK is currently approximately 0.5%. Reducing length of stay allows orthopaedic providers to improve efficiency, increase operative throughput, and tackle the rising demand for joint arthroplasty surgery and the COVID-19-related backlog. Here, we report safe delivery of day-case TKA in an NHS trust via inpatient wards with no additional resources. Methods. Day-case TKAs, defined as patients discharged on the same calendar day as surgery, were retrospectively reviewed with a minimum follow-up of six months. Analysis of hospital and primary care records was performed to determine readmission and reattendance rates. Telephone interviews were conducted to determine patient satisfaction. Results. Since 2016, 301/7350 TKAs (4.1%) in 290 patients at our institution were discharged on the day of surgery. Mean follow-up was 31.4 months (6.2 to 70.0). In all, 28 patients (9.3%) attended the emergency department or other acute care settings within 90 days of surgery, most often with wound concerns or leg swelling; six patients (2.0%) were readmitted. No patients underwent a subsequent revision procedure, and there were no periprosthetic infections. Two patients (0.7%) underwent secondary patella resurfacing, and one patient underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis after previous manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA). Three patients (1.0%) underwent MUA alone. Primary care consultation records, available for 206 patients, showed 16 patients (7.8%) contacted their
Abstract. Introduction. The rate of day-case total knee replacement (TKR) in the UK is currently ~0.5%. Reducing length of stay improves efficiency, increases operative throughput and tackles the rising demand for joint replacement surgery and the COVID-19 related backlog. We report safe delivery of day-case TKR in an NHS Trust via inpatient wards, with no additional resources. Methodology. Day-case TKRs, defined as patients discharged on the same calendar day as surgery, were retrospectively reviewed with a minimum follow-up of six-months. Analysis of hospital and primary care records was performed to determine readmission and reattendance rates. Telephone interviews were conducted to determine patient satisfaction. Results. Between 2016 and 2021, 301/7350 (4.1%) TKRs were discharged on the day of surgery. Mean follow-up was 31.4 (6.2–70.0) months. 28 (9.3%) patients attended Accident and Emergency or other acute care settings within 90-days of surgery; six (2.0%) patients were readmitted. No patients underwent a subsequent revision procedure. There were no prosthetic infections. Two patients underwent secondary patella resurfacing, and one patient underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis after previous manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA). Three patients underwent MUA alone. Primary care consultation records, available for 206 patients, showed 16 (7.8%) patients contacted their
To assess the cost-effectiveness of a two-layer compression bandage versus a standard wool and crepe bandage following total knee arthroplasty, using patient-level data from the Knee Replacement Bandage Study (KReBS). A cost-utility analysis was undertaken alongside KReBS, a pragmatic, two-arm, open label, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial, in terms of the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Overall, 2,330 participants scheduled for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to either a two-layer compression bandage or a standard wool and crepe bandage. Costs were estimated over a 12-month period from the UK NHS perspective, and health outcomes were reported as QALYs based on participants’ EuroQol five-dimesion five-level questionnaire responses. Multiple imputation was used to deal with missing data and sensitivity analyses included a complete case analysis and testing of costing assumptions, with a secondary analysis exploring the inclusion of productivity losses.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus physical therapy plus optional delayed arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in young patients aged under 45 years with traumatic meniscal tears. We conducted a multicentre, open-labelled, randomized controlled trial in patients aged 18 to 45 years, with a recent onset, traumatic, MRI-verified, isolated meniscal tear without knee osteoarthritis. Patients were randomized to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or standardized physical therapy with an optional delayed arthroscopic partial meniscectomy after three months of follow-up. We performed a cost-utility analysis on the randomization groups to compare both treatments over a 24-month follow-up period. Cost utility was calculated as incremental costs per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy compared to physical therapy. Calculations were performed from a healthcare system perspective and a societal perspective.Aims
Methods
To identify unanswered questions about the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation and delivery of care of first-time soft-tissue knee injuries (ligament injuries, patella dislocations, meniscal injuries, and articular cartilage) in children (aged 12 years and older) and adults. The James Lind Alliance (JLA) methodology for Priority Setting Partnerships was followed. An initial survey invited patients and healthcare professionals from the UK to submit any uncertainties regarding soft-tissue knee injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation and delivery of care. Over 1,000 questions were received. From these, 74 questions (identifying common concerns) were formulated and checked against the best available evidence. An interim survey was then conducted and 27 questions were taken forward to the final workshop, held in January 2023, where they were discussed, ranked, and scored in multiple rounds of prioritization. This was conducted by healthcare professionals, patients, and carers.Aims
Methods
To perform an incremental cost-utility analysis and assess the impact of differential costs and case volume on the cost-effectiveness of robotic arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (rUKA) compared to manual (mUKA). This was a five-year follow-up study of patients who were randomized to rUKA (n = 64) or mUKA (n = 65). Patients completed the EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) preoperatively, and at three months and one, two, and five years postoperatively, which was used to calculate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. Costs for the primary and additional surgery and healthcare costs were calculated.Aims
Methods
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intra-articular injections may provide a simple and minimally invasive treatment for early-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA). This has led to an increase in its adoption as a treatment for knee OA, although there is uncertainty about its efficacy and benefit. We hypothesized that patients with early-stage symptomatic knee OA who receive multiple PRP injections will have better clinical outcomes than those receiving single PRP or placebo injections. A double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial was performed with three groups receiving either placebo injections (Normal Saline), one PRP injection followed by two placebo injections, or three PRP injections. Each injection was given one week apart. Outcomes were prospectively collected prior to intervention and then at six weeks, three months, six months, and 12 months post-intervention. Primary outcome measures were Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and EuroQol five-dimension five-level index (EQ-5D-5L). Secondary outcomes included visual analogue scale for pain and patient subjective assessment of the injections.Aims
Methods
Nearly 99,000 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) are performed in UK annually. Despite plenty of research, the satisfaction rate of this surgery is around 80%. One of the important intraoperative factors affecting the outcome is alignment. The relationship between joint obliquity and functional outcomes is not well understood. Therefore, a study is required to investigate and compare the effects of two types of alignment (mechanical and kinematic) on functional outcomes and range of motion. The aim of the study is to compare navigated kinematically aligned TKAs (KA TKAs) with navigated mechanically aligned TKA (MA TKA) in terms of function and ROM. We aim to recruit a total of 96 patients in the trial. The patients will be recruited from clinics of various consultants working in the trust after screening them for eligibility criteria and obtaining their informed consent to participate in this study. Randomization will be done prior to surgery by a software. The primary outcome measure will be the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score The secondary outcome measures include Oxford Knee Score, ROM, EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire, EuroQol visual analogue scale, 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Forgotten Joint Score. The scores will be calculated preoperatively and then at six weeks, six months, and one year after surgery. The scores will undergo a statistical analysis.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of thromboprophylactic treatments in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Using nationwide medical registries, we identified patients with a primary TKA performed in Denmark between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018 who received thromboprophylactic treatment. We examined the 90-day risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), major bleeding, and all-cause mortality following surgery. We used a Cox regression model to compute hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome, pairwise comparing treatment with dalteparin or dabigatran with rivaroxaban as the reference. The HRs were both computed using a multivariable and a propensity score matched analysis.Aims
Methods
The aim is to assess the cost-effectiveness of patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) in comparison with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the treatment of isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) based on prospectively collected data on health outcomes and resource use from a blinded, randomized, clinical trial. A total of 100 patients with isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis were randomized to receive either PFA or TKA by experienced knee surgeons trained in using both implants. Patients completed patient-reported outcomes including EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) and 6-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-6D) before the procedure. The scores were completed again after six weeks, three, six, and nine months, and again after one- and two-year post-surgery and yearly henceforth. Time-weighted outcome measures were constructed. Cost data were obtained from clinical registrations and patient-reported questionnaires. Incremental gain in health outcomes (quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs)) and incremental costs were compared for the two groups of patients. Net monetary benefit was calculated assuming a threshold value of €10,000, €35,000, and €50,000 per QALY and used to test the statistical uncertainty and central assumptions about outcomes and costs.Aims
Methods
The aim of the British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK) Meniscal Consensus Project was to develop an evidence-based treatment guideline for patients with meniscal lesions of the knee. A formal consensus process was undertaken applying nominal group, Delphi, and appropriateness methods. Consensus was first reached on the terminology relating to the definition, investigation, and classification of meniscal lesions. A series of simulated clinical scenarios was then created and the appropriateness of arthroscopic meniscal surgery or nonoperative treatment in each scenario was rated by the group. The process was informed throughout by the latest published, and previously unpublished, clinical and epidemiological evidence. Scenarios were then grouped together based upon the similarity of clinical features and ratings to form the guideline for treatment. Feedback on the draft guideline was sought from the entire membership of BASK before final revisions and approval by the consensus group.Aims
Materials and Methods
The purpose of the present study was to compare patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) and conventional surgical instrumentation (CSI) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in terms of early implant migration, alignment, surgical resources, patient outcomes, and costs. The study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial of 50 patients undergoing TKA. There were 25 patients in each of the PSI and CSI groups. There were 12 male patients in the PSI group and seven male patients in the CSI group. The patients had a mean age of 69.0 years (Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this independent multicentre study was to assess the
mid-term results of mobile bearing unicondylar knee arthroplasty
(UKA) for isolated lateral osteoarthritis of the knee joint. We retrospectively evaluated 363 consecutive, lateral UKAs (346
patients) performed using the Oxford domed lateral prosthesis undertaken
in three high-volume knee arthroplasty centres between 2006 and
2014. Mean age of the patients at surgery was 65 years (36 to 88)
with a mean final follow-up of 37 months (12 to 93)Aims
Patients and Methods
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been successfully
performed in the United States healthcare system on outpatients.
Despite differences in healthcare structure and financial environment,
we hypothesised that it would be feasible to replicate this success
and perform UKA with safe day of surgery discharge within the NHS,
in the United Kingdom. This has not been reported in any other United
Kingdom centres. We report our experience of implementing a pathway to allow safe
day of surgery discharge following UKA. Data were prospectively
collected on 72 patients who underwent UKA as a day case between
December 2011 and September 2015. Aims
Patients and Methods
Nail patella syndrome (NPS) is a skeletal dysplasia with patellofemoral
dysfunction as a key symptom. We present the first in-depth radiological
evaluation of the knee in a large series of NPS patients and describe
the typical malformations. Conventional radiological examination of 95 skeletally mature
patients with NPS was performed. Patellar morphology was classified
according to the Wiberg classification as modified by Baumgartl
and Ficat criteria, and trochlear shape was classified according
to the Dejour classification.Aim
Patients and Methods
The pre-operative level of haemoglobin is the strongest predictor
of the peri-operative requirement for blood transfusion after total
knee arthroplasty (TKA). There are, however, no studies reporting
a value that could be considered to be appropriate pre-operatively. This study aimed to identify threshold pre-operative levels of
haemoglobin that would predict the requirement for blood transfusion
in patients who undergo TKA. Analysis of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves of
2284 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral TKA was used to
determine gender specific thresholds predicting peri-operative transfusion
with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity (area under
ROC curve 0.79 for males; 0.78 for females).Aims
Patients and Methods
This prospective study describes the outcome of the first 1000 phase 3 Oxford medial unicompartmental knee replacements (UKRs) implanted using a minimally invasive surgical approach for the recommended indications by two surgeons and followed up independently. The mean follow-up was 5.6 years (1 to 11) with 547 knees having a minimum follow-up of five years. At five years their mean Oxford knee score was 41.3 ( The incidence of implant-related re-operations was 2.9%; of these 29 re-operations two were revisions requiring revision knee replacement components with stems and wedges, 17 were conversions to a primary total knee replacement, six were open reductions for dislocation of the bearing, three were secondary lateral UKRs and one was revision of a tibial component. The most common reason for further surgical intervention was progression of arthritis in the lateral compartment (0.9%), followed by dislocation of the bearing (0.6%) and revision for unexplained pain (0.6%). If all implant-related re-operations are considered failures, the ten-year survival rate was 96% (95% confidence interval, 92.5 to 99.5). If only revisions requiring revision components are considered failures the ten-year survival rate is 99.8% (confidence interval 99 to 100). This is the largest published series of UKRs implanted through a minimally invasive surgical approach and with ten-year survival data. The survival rates are similar to those obtained with a standard open approach whereas the function is better. This demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of a minimally invasive surgical approach for implanting the Oxford UKR.
In an initial randomised controlled trial (RCT)
we segregated 180 patients to one of two knee positions following total
knee replacement (TKR): six hours of knee flexion using either a
jig or knee extension. Outcome measures included post-operative
blood loss, fall in haemoglobin, blood transfusion requirements,
knee range of movement, limb swelling and functional scores. A second
RCT consisted of 420 TKR patients randomised to one of three post-operative
knee positions: flexion for three or six hours post-operatively,
or knee extension. Positioning of the knee in flexion for six hours immediately
after surgery significantly reduced blood loss (p = 0.002). There
were no significant differences in post-operative range of movement,
swelling, pain or outcome scores between the various knee positions
in either study. Post-operative knee flexion may offer a simple
and cost-effective way to reduce blood loss and transfusion requirements
following TKR. We also report a cautionary note regarding the potential risks
of prolonged knee flexion for more than six hours observed during
clinical practice in the intervening period between the two trials,
with 14 of 289 patients (4.7%) reporting lower limb sensory neuropathy
at their three-month review. Cite this article:
The significance of weight in the indications
for unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) is unclear. Our hypothesis was
that weight does not affect the long-term rate of survival of UKRs. We undertook a retrospective study of 212 UKRs at a mean follow-up
of 12 years (7 to 22). The patients were distributed according to
body mass index (BMI; <
The ten-year rates of survival were similar in the two weight
subgroups (≥ 82 kg: 93.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 66.5 to
96.3); <
82 kg: 92.5% (95% CI 82.5 to 94.1)) and also in the
two BMI subgroups (≥ 30 kg/m2: 92% (95% CI 82.5 to 95.3);
<
30 kg/m2: 94% (95% CI 78.4 to 95.9)). Multimodal
regression analysis revealed that weight plays a part in reducing
the risk of revision with a relative risk of 0.387, although this
did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.662). The results
relating weight and BMI to the clinical outcome were not statistically
significant. Thus, this study confirms that weight does not influence
the long-term rate of survival of UKR. Cite this article:
We report the long-term survival of a prospective randomised consecutive series of 501 primary knee replacements using the press-fit condylar posterior cruciate ligament-retaining prosthesis. Patients received either cemented (219 patients, 277 implants) or cementless (177 patients, 224 implants) fixation. Altogether, 44 of 501 knees (8.8%) underwent revision surgery (24 cemented This single-surgeon series, with no loss to follow-up, provides reliable data of the revision rates of one of the most commonly-used total knee replacements. The survival of the press-fit condylar total knee replacement remained good at 15 years, irrespective of the method of fixation.
