Patient-reported outcomes and complications of a new-generation total knee system: a randomized controlled trial

Documentation of new-generation implants' short-term performance could reassure surgeons and patients about their use, while awaiting the long-term outcome. Our aim was to compare the performance of a newer total knee arthroplasty (TKA) system with its predecessor, measured by patient-reported knee function, pain, and complication rate.

We performed a multi-center, randomized, controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03073941). 314 patients with primary osteoarthritis were randomized to treatment with a Persona or NexGen cruciate-retaining TKA system and followed for 2 years. The primary outcome was measured with the patient-reported outcome (PRO) Oxford Knee Score (OKS) 2 years post-surgery. Secondary outcomes were the OKS-Activity and Participation questionnaire (OKS-APQ), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), EQ-5D-3L, and number of complications during the study period. Responder analyses were performed using Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) and Minimal Important Change (MIC) criteria.

Primary outcome was available from 289 patients (92%). We found no difference in adjusted mean OKS between the groups 2 years post-surgery (0.1, 95% confidence interval -1.4 to 1.7). We found no significant differences in adjusted mean of secondary PROs, PRO time-weighted averages, proportion of patients with PASS or MIC, or complications 2 years post-surgery.

We found no difference in OKS 2 years post-surgery, or in any secondary variables analyzed including complications, between the 2 TKA systems. Short-term safety and performance of the Persona TKA was comparable to its predecessor.