Superior clinical results and higher satisfaction after customized compared with conventional TKA

Investigation of functional outcome and patient`s satisfaction after implantation of a customized versus conventional TKA. In 31 consecutively enrolled patients with primary gonarthrosis, 33 customized TKA (custTKA) and in 31 patients, a conventional TKA (convTKA) was implanted. Perioperative and postoperative management were identical. Radio- graphic evaluation, ROM, KSS (Knee society score) and WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) were performed and patients satisfaction was evaluated after 3 and 12 months. Groups were comparable for age, sex, body mass index and extension/flexion. After 92 days average flexion in the convTKA group was significantly higher (119 vs. 113 degrees; unpaired t-test). At 375 days, mean flexion in both groups was 120 degrees. There was a significant higher number of outliers of neutral mechanical axis for convTKA patients (11 vs. 3; Chi-squared test). After 92 days there was no difference for KSS (convTKA: 160, custTKA: 167) but significant better results for WOMAC (19 vs. 40) in the custTKA group (unpaired t-test, p= 0.02). In addition, significantly better KSS (181 vs. 156) and WOMAC (99 vs. 42) were found for the custTKA group at 375 days (unpaired t-test, p= 0.002 and 0.001). Patients with the custTKA implant reported significant higher fulfillment of their expectations regarding function and knee strength. In the present study, the patients with a custTKA implant showed significantly superior short-term clinical results and fulfillment of their expectations regarding knee function.