High-flexion implants in primary total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
We asked whether a high-flexion design implant improves patient functional outcomes or range of motion (ROM) after primary knee arthroplasty.


METHODS
We searched the major medical databases for randomized trials and comparison observational studies comparing high-flexion and conventional knee implants. After testing for publication bias and heterogeneity, the data were aggregated by random effect modeling. We estimated the weighted mean differences of functional outcomes scores and ROM with 95% confidence intervals.


RESULTS
Six studies met our inclusion criteria for review. We found no evidence of publication bias. The pooled mean difference for KSS scores was 0.144 (95% CI: -0.018 to 0.306), p=0.081. The pooled mean difference for the mean changes in ROM was 0.404 (95% CI: 0.139 to 0.669), p=0.003.


CONCLUSIONS
High-flexion implant design improves overall ROM as compared to traditional implants but offers no clinical advantage over traditional implant designs in primary knee arthroplasty.
Gandhi
Rajiv
R
Division of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toronto, Canada. Rajiv.gandhi@uhn.on.ca
Tso
Peggy
P
Davey
J Roderick
JR
Mahomed
Nizar N
NN
D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function