Arthropathy of Knee

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most successful procedures in orthopedic surgery for treating advanced knee osteoarthritis, providing pain relief, functional recovery, and improved quality of life. Advances in implant design and materials have further enhanced joint kinematics and patient satisfaction. An aging population has increased the number of elderly patients with comorbidities, potentially affecting surgical outcomes and implant longevity. Polyethylene has long been used in knee prostheses; early all-polyethylene tibial components were abandoned due to high wear and failure rates, in favor of metal-backed designs, which became the gold standard. Recently, highly cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has renewed interest in all-polyethylene tibial components, although their use remains limited. These implants offer potential advantages, including elimination of locking mechanism failures, reduced backside wear, lower costs, and possibly better load distribution. Evidence from registries, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses shows that 15-year survival of all-polyethylene tibial components is comparable or even superior to metal-backed designs, with no significant differences in clinical-functional outcomes. Additionally, all-poly components are significantly less expensive. Given these findings, increasing their use and evaluating outcomes in Italy is warranted. The aim of the present study is to assess implant survival of the Link Symphoknee prosthesis with an all-polyethylene tibial component, along with clinical-functional outcomes and post-discharge readmission rates in patients treated at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute.

This is a prospective, post-market, multi-center, registry-based observational study designed to collect real-world clinical data on patients undergoing joint arthroplasty with Stryker implants, with or without the use of the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted System. The registry will collect prospective data on patient characteristics, procedural details, patient-reported outcomes, radiographic assessments, and adverse events. Patients will be enrolled into procedure-specific cohorts and followed for up to five years postoperatively.

Fast-track total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a well-established concept including optimized logistics and evidence-based treatment, focusing on minimizing surgical stress and improved post-operative recovery. The aim of this protocol is to compare the standard care and fast track total knee arthroplasties in terms of functional and subjective outcomes, hospital staying, number of transfusions and analgesic consumption.

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate effects of respiratory strengthening exercises on breathing function, in people who have orthopedic surgery. It is known that breathing function decreases for a few days after surgery. in In this study, we want to see if exercising before surgery strengthens the breathing muscles and improves recovery after surgery.

This will be a prospective, randomized, noninferiority clinical trial comparing rehabilitation methods post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Population of interest is adult hip/knee clinic patients over age 18 who are indicated for unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty. All TKA patients are prescribed physical therapy (PT) for rehabilitation post-operatively. The investigators will compare this current treatment with a new, validated, wearable smart knee brace (FM2 Knee Brace) that can be used for rehabilitation post-TKA. Following enrollment in the study, the investigators will match and randomize participants into two cohorts (outpatient PT versus FM2 Knee Brace). Outpatient PT group will be prescribed routine six-week course of outpatient PT (no pool exercises, remainder at therapist's discretion) to start as soon as possible upon discharge. The FM2 Knee Brace group will complete device set up at pre-op visit and will be prescribed 3-4 exercises to complete at their discretion over six weeks. The investigators will collect measurements of knee flexion, extension, total arc of motion at pre-op visit and at 6-week, 3-month, and 1-year post-op visits. The investigators will also plan to record additional PROs, therapy compliance, and complication rates. The investigators will compare the two groups to test whether the new FM2 Knee Brace is noninferior to regular PT when recovering from TKA, and if the new technology could be an alternative to outpatient PT.

The purpose of this research is to compare the functional outcomes of patients with end stage medial compartment OA of the knee undergoing a conventional mTKA to those undergoing rUKA and to assess the associated cost economics of such technology.

The aim of this study is to assess role of MRI in detecting synovial, cartilaginous , osseous abnormalities ، bleeding inside knee joint and to use a system for assessing HA as support for therapeutic regimes and for monitoring response to therapy .