Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Robot-Assisted Partial Knee Replacement Versus Standard Total Knee Replacement

This research is looking at two different ways to replace a knee for people suffering from knee arthritis. One is the usual full knee replacement, where the whole damaged knee joint is replaced. The other is a partial knee replacement, where only the worn-out part of the knee is replaced, and a robot helps the surgeon do this. This is the first time these two options are being directly compared. The aim is to see if using a robot can make partial knee replacements more accurate and successful. If successful, this could mean better results for patients, such as less pain and a faster return to normal activities, and more people in the UK could benefit from this modern surgery.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

McMaster University

Enrolment target

Start

23 Nov 2020

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Knee Osteoarthritis

What is this study about?

Knee arthritis can cause a lot of pain and problems with daily life, and it's a very common reason for people to need surgery. In the UK, many thousands of knee replacement operations happen each year. Usually, if your knee is badly affected by arthritis, you'll have a total knee replacement. This means the surgeon replaces the entire knee joint.

However, sometimes only one part of the knee is damaged by arthritis, while other parts are still healthy. For these people, a partial knee replacement might be an option. This surgery is designed to replace only the damaged section, saving more of your natural knee. The challenge with partial knee replacements is that they can be tricky for surgeons to do perfectly, and there's a higher chance of problems compared to a full knee replacement. Because of this, not many surgeons specialise in them.

This study is exploring whether using a special robot can help surgeons perform partial knee replacements more precisely. By using robot assistance, we hope to make these surgeries more accurate and long-lasting. This could lead to better outcomes for patients, like improving how well they can move, reducing their pain, and increasing their satisfaction with the surgery. Ultimately, if robot-assisted partial knee replacements prove to be very good, it could mean more people who only have damage to part of their knee could have this less invasive type of surgery.

Key takeaways

This study compares two types of knee replacement: standard full and robot-assisted partial.
It aims to see if robot assistance can improve partial knee replacements.
The goal is better patient outcomes like less pain and faster recovery.
Participation means being randomly chosen for one of the two surgery types.
This is a 'pilot' study to pave the way for future larger research.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you need to be an adult (age 18 or older) who has arthritis in only one part of your knee, needing surgery. Two experienced surgeons involved in the study must agree that you would be suitable for either a standard full knee replacement or a robot-assisted partial knee replacement.

However, some things would mean you couldn't join. For example, if you can't understand or agree to take part, or if you've had major knee surgery or a severe injury to that knee before. Also, you can't join if you need surgery on both knees at the same time or if equipment like the robot isn't available. You'll also need to be able to have a special scan called a CT scan before your operation.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have arthritis in only one part of your knee needing surgery?
Have you *not* had major previous knee surgery or severe injury to that knee?
Are you able to have a special CT scan before surgery?
Can you understand and agree to take part in the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This is a 'pilot' study, which means it's a smaller study to see if a bigger one can be done in the future. If you join, you will be randomly chosen to have either a standard full knee replacement or a robot-assisted partial knee replacement. This 'random' choice is like flipping a coin and helps make the study fair. After your surgery, the research team will follow your progress to see how you are recovering and how well your knee is doing. They will check things like your pain levels, how active you are, and your satisfaction with the surgery. The study involves your surgery and follow-up appointments, which will be similar to what you'd have after a regular knee replacement, though there might be some extra forms or questionnaires to fill out. The total duration of your involvement will be decided by the follow-up schedule and your recovery.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part could offer benefits as you would receive high-quality surgery and careful monitoring of your recovery. While robot-assisted partial knee replacement is a newer approach, the study will help us understand its benefits, which could lead to better outcomes for future patients. As with any surgery, there are always potential risks, such as infection, pain, or problems with the new joint, which your surgical team will discuss with you. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
Verified postcode
Hamilton, Canada

Common questions

What is knee osteoarthritis?

Knee osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis where the protective cartilage in your knee joint wears down, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

What's the difference between a full and partial knee replacement?

A full knee replacement replaces all three damaged parts of your knee. A partial knee replacement only replaces the one damaged part, keeping more of your natural knee.

How does a robot help with surgery?

The robot helps the surgeon plan the operation very precisely and guides their tools during surgery, which can make the placement of the new knee parts more accurate.

Will I definitely get a robot-assisted partial knee replacement if I join?

No, you will be randomly chosen to receive either the standard full knee replacement or the robot-assisted partial knee replacement. It's like a fair draw to make sure the study is unbiased.

Who is running this study?

This study is being conducted by medical professionals at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, which is a hospital in Canada and is the first to use this robotic technology for knee replacements there.