Comparison of patient reported outcomes after Triathlon^® and Kinemax Plus prostheses

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe Triathlon® (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, US) total knee replacement was designed to improve patient function and survivorship. The aim of this study was to determine whether the Triathlon® prosthesis produces better patient reported outcomes than a previous design by the same manufacturer, the Kinemax Plus.METHODSThe outcome of 233 knees of patients with a mean age of 68 years (range: 40–80 years) who received the Kinemax Plus prosthesis were compared with the outcomes of 220 knees of patients with a mean age of 70 years (range: 42–90 years) who received the Triathlon® prosthesis. Data were collected via postal questionnaire prior to surgery as well as at 8–12 weeks and at 1 year following surgery. Validated questionnaires were used including the WOMAC® (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) pain and function scales, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score quality of life scale and the self-administered patient satisfaction scale.RESULTSThis study found that patients who had the Triathlon® prosthesis had significantly better pain relief (p<0.0001), function (p=0.028), knee related quality of life (p<0.0001) and satisfaction (p=0.0003) at three months after surgery than those who received the Kinemax Plus prosthesis. In addition, knee related quality of life (p=0.002) and satisfaction (p=0.021) were significantly higher at one year after surgery in Triathlon® patients.CONCLUSIONSThe findings suggest that return to function and reduction in pain may occur more quickly in patients with a Triathlon® prosthesis than in those with the Kinemax Plus.

Excellent 10-year patient-reported outcomes and survival in a single-radius, cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty

“…Non-randomised studies comparing outcomes of the Triathlon TKA to other multi-radius designs including the Duracon [ 10 , 33 ] and the Kinemax Plus [ 14 ] have found in favour of the single-radius design in terms of pain relief [ 10 , 14 , 33 ], stability [ 10 ], degree of flexion [ 10 , 33 ], walking and stair climbing ability [ 10 ], Knee Society Scores [ 33 ] and knee-related quality of life [ 14 ]. Favourable Knee Society Scores have been reported by Harwin et al [ 23 ] in 2035 Triathlon TKAs in 1688 patients with 48-point improvements for pain and 22 for function at a mean of 21 months.…”

Early Experience with a Modern Generation Knee System: Average 2 Years’ Follow-up

“…Modern TKA femoral implants which mimic this geometry have demonstrated improved mid-flexion stability, preventing anterior movement of the femoral component during flexion [13]. The cohort studies published on these designs have demonstrated faster rehabilitation, reduction in anterior knee pain and improved range of motion over traditional knee designs [13,14,15]. However, there have also been studies which do not demonstrate an improvement in function over traditional knee systems [16,17,18].…”