This new Patella LIFT implant from ZKR Orthopedics is exciting as it may alleviate pain in patients suffering from anterior knee pain due to patellofemoral cartilage wear or arthritis. I first heard of this implant from its designer, Jeff Halbrecht, MD, at the International Patellofemoral Study Group.
According to the press release, the PELICAN study will assess patients with advanced cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis in the patellofemoral joint. It will compare outcomes of the ZKR Patella LIFT Implant, performed at U.S. centers, against a control group of tibial tubercle osteotomies performed at European centers. The trial’s primary endpoints include patient-reported outcomes, safety, and radiographic confirmation, while the secondary endpoints will focus on pain, function, and recovery speed.
The Patella LIFT implant can be placed relatively quickly, and the patient can bear weight immediately, which is a huge advantage over current techniques. We plan to participate in this clinical trial and are optimistic that it may help patients currently unable or unwilling to spend six weeks on crutches after an osteotomy.
Read more about the study in the ZKR Orthopedics press release.