On June 8, 2017, ConforMIS published its study comparing adverse events rates and cost of care for total knee arthroplasty patients treated with either customized individually or standard off-the-shelf implants. The study was published in Arthroplasty Today.
Here are nine key notes:
1. The study reviewed outcomes and costs for 248 patients all treated at a single institution by the same surgeon.
2. Fewer patients treated with customized implants experienced adverse events at both discharge and 90 days after treatment.
3. Patients who received a customized implant were more likely to be discharged in less than three days.
4. Only 4.8 percent of customized implant patients, compared to the 16.4 percent of standard implant patients, were discharged to a rehabilitation center.
5. Fewer patients treated with customized implants required blood transfusion.
6. The total average costs between the two implants were nearly identical, with customized implants costing $16,192 and standard implants costing $16,240.
7. Patients with customized implants had risk-adjusted savings around $913.87 per patient.
8. Customized implants saved patients $1,313 in follow up care costs.
9. Patients with standard implants were five times more likely to be discharged to rehab and four times more likely to require blood transfusion and experience an adverse event.