SALT LAKE CITY, UT [March 10, 2025] — Groundbreaking research highlighting a first-of-its-kind head-to-head comparison of a modern universal (symmetrical) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) design versus a traditional asymmetrical design will be presented at the 2025 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting on Thursday. Conducted by the University of Utah, the study, “Radiographic and Clinical Comparisons of a Modern Symmetrical versus Asymmetrical Implant Design in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty,” found that patient outcomes were similar across both implant types, while the symmetrical group showed significantly better radiographic patellar tracking. The study, which was published in the Journal of Arthroplasty earlier this year, will be presented by Joshua Rainey, MD, of the University of Utah.
The findings build on growing evidence that the Klassic® Knee’s universal femoral design reduces the operating room footprint and improves overall operational efficiency—without sacrificing clinical results. Orthopedic Professor and principal investigator Christopher E. Pelt, MD of the University of Utah, noted, “Our study demonstrated no differences in complications or clinical outcomes between the asymmetrical and symmetrical designs, yet the symmetrical group showed less lateral patellar tilt on radiographs. This suggests a modern universal femoral design can perform at least as well as an anatomically-specific implant, while potentially offering meaningful advantages in operating room efficiency.”
Offering the only modern universal femur on the market, the Klassic® Femur, Total Joint Orthopedics (TJO) is especially pleased with the outcomes of this study. Erin Hofmann, President and CEO of TJO, emphasized the importance of these results for healthcare institutions looking to enhance value. “We’re thrilled that this research confirms how a true universal design can match or outperform conventional implants in critical areas such as patellar tracking. Given the mounting cost pressures on surgeons, hospitals, and ambulatory surgery centers, innovations that simplify procedures and reduce waste—while offering excellent patient outcomes—represent a genuine step forward in orthopedic care.”
The full paper is available in the Journal of Arthroplasty Proceedings of the Knee Society (2024 meeting), and here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39956496/. For more information or to learn about TJO’s Klassic® Knee system, please call 888.890.0102 or email sales@tjoinc.com.
