Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Osteoarthritis causes the joints to become painful and stiff. Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common condition that is expected to be a lot more frequent in the next two decades. As a consequence, an increase of total knee replacement surgery is predicted. Total knee replacement surgery is offered when knee pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis can no longer be managed and these symptoms significantly impact on an individual’s normal activities of daily living. Most total knee replacements are successful but up to 34% of all patients have poor functional outcomes following surgery. This leaves affected people at a greater risk of reduced physical activity and thus impacts longer-term general health. Poor outcomes are therefore of importance to patients and have a considerable financial and service-provision impact on NHS care. While patient-related characteristics and their relationship to patient outcomes have been identified, few studies have been undertaken to determine how kinematic outcomes (how the prosthetic knee moves) are related to functional outcome and patient satisfaction. The kinematic outcome of a total knee replacement is hypothesised to relate to both the structural design (shape) of the implant and the surgical procedure itself. To date, no studies have investigated the kinematic outcomes of different total knee replacement prosthesis designs through a range of typical activities of everyday mobility (functional outcomes). Whilst it is known that long term success of total knee replacement depends largely upon correct alignment of the prosthesis components during surgery, no studies have looked at the anatomical alignments of the osteoarthritic knee prior to undergoing surgery (using Computerised Tomography (CT) scanning).
The aim of the study is to examine relationships between movement analysis (kinematic and functional outcomes), patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) and CT measurement, both pre- and post-operatively, between two knee prosthesis including one that has been designed to improve functional outcomes.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18 and older with primary osteoarthritis requiring a total knee replacement.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive the GENESIS II knee prosthesis and those in the second group receive the JOURNEY II Bi Cruciate Stabilised (BCS). All participants undergo a CT scan both before and after surgery. Participants are asked to visit the movement laboratory at the University of East Anglia to complete tests to assess their range of movement, balance, walking ability and muscle activity before and after surgery. Participants answer questions about their pain medication they are taking, how they are coping with their knee before surgery and at one week, six-eight weeks and six months after surgery. Participants also complete a diary recording the daily exercises done at home after surgery as recommended by the participant’s physiotherapists.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Although there are no direct benefits for participating, it is hoped that the information from this study will help improve the treatment of people undergoing knee replacement surgery in the future. Both the knee joints which we are testing are commonly used in Knee Replacement Surgery in the UK and there should be no additional risks in undergoing the surgery compared to patients who are not taking part in the study. Tests are carried out in the MoveEx Lab routinely. They involve no more than a participant’s usual level of physical activity. These tests are well tolerated and do not involve any discomfort. However, if at any time during the assessment a participant does not want to continue, the tests would be stopped immediately. The CT scans are extra radiographic procedures compared to what a patient would have if they did not take part in the study. These procedures use ionising radiation and thus carry a small risk from the extra radiation that participants will be exposed to in the study. Ionising radiation can cause cell damage that may, after many years or decades, turn cancerous. The chance of this happening to the participants within this study is extremely small due to the area of the body scanned and the small dose of radiation used. The ionising radiation dose used in this study (CT scans) is equivalent to that received, on average in the UK, from natural sources of background radiation in less than one year (10.5 months). This is estimated to correspond to a cancer risk of around 1 in 10,000 for adults in the general population. Sometimes, unexpected findings can be discovered on CT scans and we request the participants’ permission to inform their GPs about these.
Where is the study run from?
This study is being run by the University of East Anglia (MoveEx Lab) (UK) and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) NHS trust (UK) with some participants being referred to the Spire Norwich Hospital (UK) for surgery and physiotherapy rehabilitation.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
December 2016 to October 2019
Who is funding the study?
Smith and Nephew (UK), the manufacturer of both the total knee prosthesis used. However, this study is an investigator initiated study which means that the funder doesn’t have any input in the design and the running of the study.
Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Estelle Payerne (Public)
capability.nctu@uea.ac.uk
2. Professor Iain McNamara (Scientific – Clinical)
iain.mcnamara@nnuh.nhs.uk
3. Dr Celia Clarke (Scientific – Biomechanical)
Celia.Clarke@uea.ac.uk
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
34594
Study information
Scientific title
Comparison of the JOURNEY II Bi-Cruciate Stabilised and GENESIS II Total Knee Arthroplasty in Performance and functional ABILITY: a multi-centre, assessor, nurse, physiotherapists and patient blinded, 2-arm randomised controlled trial
Acronym
CAPAbility
Study hypothesis
The principal objective of the study is to compare the change in patient reported outcome scores of the Journey II BCS and the GENESIS II knee from operation to 6 months post-operation. This study will also investigate the relationships in between patient reported, clinical, kinematic and radiological outcomes for these two types of knee replacement joints.
Ethics approval
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee, 27/07/2017, ref: 17/EE/0230
Study design
Randomised; Both; Design type: Treatment, Device, Qualitative
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Specialty: Musculoskeletal disorders, Primary sub-specialty: Non-inflammatory Joint Disorders; UKCRC code/ Disease: Musculoskeletal/ Arthrosis
Intervention
Participant are randomly allocated to receive either the JOURNEY II Bi Cruciate Stabilised (BCS) or the GENESIS II total knee implant.
The JOURNEY II BCS knee implant (intervention) has been structurally designed to improve kinematic outcomes for patients
The GENESIS II knee (standard care) is the implant routinely used at the Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital NHS trust.
In both groups participants are asked to undertake a CT scan before and after surgery (at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital). Participants are asked to answer some questions, about the pain medication they are currently taking and how they are coping with their knee, before surgery and 1 week, 6-8 weeks and 6 months after. They then visit the movement laboratory (MoveEx Lab) at the University of East Anglia, to complete some tests to look at the current range of movement of their affected knee, before surgery and 6-8 weeks and 6 months after. At these visits the research team also take some measurements of the participants’ balance, walking ability and muscle activity in their leg.
Participants are interviewed about their hopes and expectations for the surgery and how they are managing pain, before surgery (at MoveEx Lab visit) and a week after (on the phone). Some participants will also be invited to take part in a further two interviews 6-8 weeks and 6 months after surgery.
They are also asked to complete a diary recording the daily exercises done at home after surgery as recommended by the participants’ physiotherapists
The study team makes sure that the above assessments are scheduled at the most convenient dates and times for the participants.
Intervention type
Procedure/Surgery
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measures
Function and pain is measured using Oxford Knee Score (OKS) at six months
Secondary outcome measures
Patient reported outcome measures
1. Function and pain is measured using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) at1 week and 6-8 weeks post-operatively
2. Higher levels of activity and (social) participation is measured using the Oxford Knee Score Activity & Participation Questionnaire (OKS_APQ) at 1 week, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
3. Quality of life is measured using EuroQol (EQ- 5D-5L) at 1 week, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
4. The patient’ ability to forget about a joint as a result of successful treatment is measured using the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) at 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
5. Physical activity is measured using the UCLA activity score at 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
Clinical efficacy outcomes:
1. The clinical efficacy of the arthroplasty is assessed by measuring the Knee Flexion Range of Movement (ROM) on discharge (routine care) at 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
2. The clinical efficacy of the arthroplasty is assessed by measuring the Knee extension ROM on discharge (routine care) at 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
3. Evolution of post-operative knee pain is measured using Changes in pain medication at 1 week, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
4. The clinical efficacy of the arthroplasty is assessed by collecting arthroplasty related complications during surgery, 1 week, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
5. The clinical efficacy of the arthroplasty is assessed by collecting the rate of revision surgery at 1 week, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
6. The clinical efficacy of the arthroplasty is assessed by measuring the timed Up and Go at 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
7. The clinical efficacy of the arthroplasty is assessed by measuring the timed 6 minute walk at 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
8. The clinical efficacy of the arthroplasty is assessed by collecting the Length of hospital stay, which is an indicator of clinical efficacy, is measured at discharge
9. The clinical efficacy of the arthroplasty is assessed by evaluating the routine post-operative plain radiographs against the pre-operative one to record any surgical error has taken place. This will be undertaken by two consultants who had not conducted the surgery
Clinical safety outcomes:
The clinical safety of the surgery is assessed by collecting surgery related complications peri and post-operatively
Biomechanical Outcomes are measured using:
1. Overground walking is measured using 3D Motion analysis and EMG at baseline, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
2. Stair climbing and descending is measured using 3D Motion analysis and EMG at baseline, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
3. Static balance is measured using a force plate at baseline, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
4. Dynamic balance is measured using a force plate and the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) at baseline, 6-8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively
Radiological outcome:
1. Rotational alignment of the total knee component is assessed by measuring the femoral ante-torsion from the pre and post-operative rotational profile CT scans
2. Alignment of the total knee component is assessed by measuring the tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) from the pre-operative rotational profile CT scan. This assesses the displacement which affects the patella tracking
3. Correct rotational alignment of the total knee component is assessed by measuring the tibial torsion from the pre and post-operative rotational profile CT scans. This compares the position of the tibial component
4. Correct rotational alignment of the total knee component is assessed by measuring the femoral component version from the post-operative rotational profile CT scan. The allows comparison of the rotation of the pre and post operative scans to look for local rotational alignment problems
5. Correct rotational alignment of the total knee component is assessed by measuring the tibial component version from the post-operative rotational profile CT scan. This allows comparison of the tibial component compared to the preoperative scans
Qualitative study:
1. Patient’s perspective is assessed from semi-structured interviews undertaken at baseline and 1 week post-operatively for all participants and at 6—8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively for a purposive subsample
2. Surgeon’s perspective is assessed from interviews undertaken at the end of the surgical aspects of the trial
Overall trial start date
08/12/2016
Overall trial end date
18/10/2019
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Listed for a primary total knee replacement (TKR) at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (may be referred to Spire Norwich for the operation to take place)
2. Indication for the TKR is primary osteoarthritis of the knee joint involving one or more compartments
3. Aged 18 or over
4. Patient willing to provide full informed consent to the trial
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
Planned Sample Size: 90; UK Sample Size: 90
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Listed for a single-stage bilateral TKR procedure
2. Severe symptoms in the contralateral knee so as to require staged bilateral knee replacements within 6 months of the primary procedure
3. BMI greater than 35
4. Fixed flexion deformity of 15 degrees or greater who will require excessive resection of the distal femur
5. Clinically assessed uncorrectable varus/valgus deformity of 15 degrees or greater
6. Any co-morbidity which, in the opinion of the investigator, is severe enough to present an unacceptable risk to the patient’s safety
7. Inflammatory arthritis
8. Previous septic arthritis
9. Previous knee surgery other than diagnostic arthroscopy or menisectomy
10. Patients on warfarin
11. Will not be resident in the catchment area for NNUH for at least 6 months post-surgery
12. Undertaking the surgery as a private patient
13. Patients who, in the opinion of the clinical staff, do not have capacity to consent
14. Patients who are pregnant
15. Unable to understand written and spoken English
Recruitment start date
18/12/2017
Recruitment end date
18/01/2019
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Colney Lane
Colney
Norwich
NR4 7UY
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Spire Norwich Hospital
Old Watton Road
Colney
Norwich
NR4 7TD
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
MoveEx lab
School of Health Sciences
University of East Anglia
Earlham Road
Norwich
NR4 7TJ
United Kingdom
Funders
Funder type
Industry
Funder name
Smith & Nephew Medical Limited
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
1. The results of the trial will be disseminated regardless of the direction of effect and will be reported following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Statement. The publication policy will be in line with rules of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors
2. The data is planned to be published in a high-impact peer reviewed journal
3. The TMG will decide on the dissemination strategy including presentations, publications and authorship
IPD sharing statement:
The data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.
Intention to publish date
18/10/2020
Participant level data
To be made available at a later date
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary