What’s New in Adult Reconstructive Knee Surgery

Abstract

In the current Guest Editorial, we evaluate and summarize the most relevant findings from recent, meaningful, peer-reviewed publications in different research areas. Articles at various Levels of Evidence were included, but increased attention was paid to Level-I and award-winning reports. EconomicsConsiderable debate continues with regard to the economics of reconstructive knee surgery. An updated Medicare projection revealed that, by 2040, the annual number of revision total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) performed would be 115,147, whereas, by 2060, it would be 286,740. These values are important for understanding the future health-care resource utilization involving revision TKA, which is only expected to increase 1 . A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluating health-care resource utilization up to 12 months after primary TKA, among dissatisfied and satisfied patients, showed that patients dissatisfied with their return to function incurred a mean cost of $19,007.70, compared with $13,523.83 for satisfied patients (p = 0.07). Although the cost difference was not significant, its magnitude deserves attention 2 . Data from the New Zealand Joint Registry indicated that patients undergoing TKA have a mortality rate 8% higher than that of the general population 3 . Assessing mortality after primary TKA is relevant for future economic analyses.