We wished to compare the clinical outcome, as assessed by questionnaires and the rate of complications, in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) undertaken with patient-matched positioning guides (PMPGs) or conventional instruments.
A total of 180 patients (74 men, 106 women; mean age 67 years) were included in a multicentre, adequately powered, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. The mean follow-up was 44 months (24 to 57).
There were no significant or clinically relevant differences between the two groups for all outcome measures (Knee Society Score, p = 0.807; Oxford Knee Score, p = 0.304; Western Ontario and McMaster osteoarthritis index, p = 0.753; visual analogue scale for pain, p = 0.227; EuroQol-5D-3L index score, p = 0.610; EuroQol-5D-3L VAS health, p = 0.968.) There was no difference in the rate of complications (p = 0.291).
PMPGs are already in relatively common use and their short-term clinical results are equal to conventional instrumented TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:939-44.