Robotic-arm-assisted versus conventional total knee replacement (RACER-Knee): a pragmatic, multicentre, participant-masked and assessor-masked, superiority, randomised controlled trial.
LancetAug 20, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchOrthopedic Surgery
Helen Parsons, Andrew Metcalfe, James Griffin et al.
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In 30 seconds
This pragmatic, multicentre, superiority randomised controlled trial compared the Mako robotic-arm-assisted total knee replacement (rTKR) with conventional total knee replacement (cTKR) in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. Among 339 participants, the mean Forgotten Joint Score at 12 months was 49.2 for rTKR and 50.2 for cTKR, with an adjusted mean difference of -1.5, indicating no significant benefit for rTKR.
Key findings
- Mean Forgotten Joint Score at 12 months was 49.2 for rTKR and 50.2 for cTKR.
- The adjusted mean difference in FJS was -1.5 (95% CI -7.5 to 4.5; p=0.62).
- Both groups experienced similar safety profiles, with 16 serious adverse events each.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that robotic assistance in total knee replacement does not yield a significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes compared to conventional methods, raising questions about its cost-effectiveness in routine practice.