No differences in cost-effectiveness and short-term functional outcomes between cemented and uncemented total knee...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Health Economics

Background:

• Optimal fixation for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains debated, with less focus on comparative cost-effectiveness.
• This study addresses the economic and functional outcomes of cemented versus uncemented TKA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the costs and cost-effectiveness of cemented versus uncemented TKA at one year post-surgery.
• To evaluate short-term functional outcomes between cemented and uncemented TKA groups.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational multicenter cohort study involving 60 cemented and 50 uncemented Low Contact Stress (LCS) knee systems.
• Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated using the EuroQol5D-3L (EQ5D) index.
• Costs included inpatient, and direct/indirect outpatient costs, with cost-effectiveness analyzed using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).

Main Results:

• Median costs per QALY were comparable between cemented (€16,269) and uncemented (€17,727) TKA.
• Functional outcomes, including OKS, EQ5D, and NRS for pain and satisfaction, were not significantly different between the groups at one year.
• No significant differences in inpatient or post-hospitalization costs were observed between cemented and uncemented LCS knee implants.

Conclusions:

• Cemented and uncemented fixation methods for the LCS knee implant demonstrate similar cost-effectiveness and functional outcomes at one year.
• Hospitalization costs and costs incurred after hospitalization were comparable for both fixation types.