Measuring knee arthroplasty outcomes

Outcome measures are increasingly used by clinicians, healthcare providers and implant manufacturers for a variety of reasons. Clinical outcome studies have traditionally been used but the level of evidence presented has been variable. In recent decades joint registries have provided useful data on implant survival, but implant revision as an outcome measure has restrictions as many factors contribute to it. Patient reported outcome scores have been introduced more recently and provide important information about health gain after surgical intervention. In response to guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel assesses and rates implants, and Beyond Compliance advises implant manufacturers of the level of risk of newly introduced or modified prostheses.