RACER
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Robotic Arthroplasty: a Clinical and cost Effectiveness Randomised controlled trial (RACER)
IRAS ID
278357
Contact name
Andrew Metcalfe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN27624068
Duration of Study in the UK
11 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Over 100,000 knee replacements were done in the UK in 2017, costing the NHS over £550 million. Most knee replacements reduce pain and disability caused by severe arthritis, but results are mixed; one in five people are unhappy with the outcome. Therefore, better results are needed after knee replacement.
Robotic systems are increasingly being used to help surgeons perform knee replacements, but we do not know if they provide any benefits for patients. Small studies have found that surgeons are more precise and cut less tissue when using a robot to help them perform knee replacements. This should make the replacements function better with less pain, and last longer.
The aim of this study is to find out if total knee replacement performed with the help of a robot is better than using the standard technique. We will recruit 332 people having a knee replacement. Everyone taking part will have a CT scan so that a personalised computer plan can be made for their operation. Before the operation, the surgeon will find out whether surgery will be with standard instruments or a robot. This decision will be made at random using an online system to ensure the decision is fair.
We will ask participants about how much pain they are in over the first three days after their operation and use questionnaires at three, six and 12 months after surgery to ask how their knee feels, about their general health and whether they had any problems. We will also ask these questions two, five and ten years after their operation.
Along with a CT scan of the knee, we will use this information to decide whether robotic or standard knee replacements give the best results and provide value for money for people having knee replacements.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EM/0159
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion