title: Functional outcomes comparing Triathlon versus Duracon total knee arthroplasty: does the Triathlon outperform its predecessor?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) prosthesis designs are constantly evolving to obtain greater functional performance. The aim of this study is to compare the functional outcomes between the newer single radius (SR) Triathlon prosthesis with its multiradius (MR) predecessor the Duracon.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed 1,012 primary TKA procedures which used either the Triathlon SR prosthesis or the Duracon MR prosthesis (338 Triathlon, 674 Duracon). Patients were assessed using the Knee Society score (KSS), range of movement measurements, pain and walking assessments at time points pre-operatively, one year and two years postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups were similar pre-operatively in terms of age, gender and body mass index (BMI). At one year postoperatively the Triathlon group had a significantly better flexion (P = 0.005) and KSS (function score P = 0.037, knee score P = 0.000). At two years postoperatively the Triathlons had maintained a significantly better KSS (function score P = 0.046, knee score P = 0.000) and also knee flexion (P = 0.02). Pain assessments at two years were significantly better in the Triathlon group (P = 0.002) with 66.3 % of patients experiencing no pain at that point compared to 54.4 % with Duracon knees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This data supports the proposition that the use of Triathlon TKA results in improved outcomes for patients when compared to the Duracon TKA.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics, Royal Perth Hospital, Shenton Park Campus, Perth, Australia, jenpalmer@y7mail.com.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome