News
Knee Replacement news
New research, FDA clearances, technology and policy changes that could matter when you are making decisions about knee replacement. Each item explains what happened, why it matters for patients, and links to the original source.
Last updated November 13, 2026.
Latest news
US joint registry releases its 2026 report
The American Joint Replacement Registry now covers 5.2 million hip and knee procedures from 2012 to 2025. In 2025 the average hospital stay after a first knee replacement was under one day, and 93% of knee patients went straight home. About 65% of knee patients with before-and-after surveys reached a meaningful improvement at around one year. Cementless knees rose from about 2% of first knee replacements in 2012 to 24% in 2025. Infection was recorded in about half of knee revisions in 2025.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: These are real-world US numbers you can use to set expectations, and to ask your surgeon how their results compare. Patients who start with worse scores tended to be more likely to see a big improvement.
Source: AAOS press release
Large UK registry study: robotic knees needed repeat surgery no less often
Researchers used the UK National Joint Registry to compare about 697,000 knee replacements done with and without robotic assistance between 2018 and 2024. Over an average follow-up of about two and a half years, there was no difference in the risk of repeat surgery. A companion study found the same overall result for hips.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: Along with the RACER-Knee trial, this suggests robotic assistance has not yet been shown to make knees last longer. Follow-up is still short, so longer-term results could differ.
Source: The BMJ (doi:10.1136/bmj-2026-100691) · Queen Mary University of London summary
Cementless version of Smith+Nephew’s LANDMARK knee cleared
Smith+Nephew reported FDA clearance of a cementless LANDMARK knee, designed to be used with its CORI robotic system.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: Cementless knees attach by bone growing onto the implant rather than with bone cement. They are being used more often, but long-term registry data for newer cementless designs is still building. Ask your surgeon why they would choose cemented or cementless for you.
RACER-Knee trial: robot more precise, but patients felt no better at one year
In this randomized trial of 339 patients at 10 UK hospitals, half had robotic-arm-assisted surgery (Mako) and half had conventional surgery. The robot placed implants more precisely, but there was no meaningful difference in how patients rated their knee one year later.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: This is the strongest trial so far on robotic knee replacement. Precision alone did not translate into a better-feeling knee at one year.
Source: The Lancet (doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00986-4) · HealthDay summary
Medicare finalizes a nationwide joint replacement payment model
Medicare finalized the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Expanded model (CJR-X). Starting October 1, 2027, hospitals nationwide will be responsible for the quality and cost of care for 90 days after hip, knee and ankle replacements in Medicare patients.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: For Medicare patients, hospitals will have stronger reasons to plan your recovery, follow up after discharge and avoid readmissions.
Source: DecisionHealth report
GLP-1 medicines linked to fewer knee replacements in people with knee arthritis
A large US health-records study compared people with knee osteoarthritis who did and did not take GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide or tirzepatide. Those who took semaglutide or tirzepatide for three years had about 4.7 percentage points fewer knee replacements over eight years.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: This was an observational study, so it cannot prove the medicines caused the difference. Weight loss is a well-established way to ease arthritis knee pain. If you are already a candidate for these medicines, ask your doctor how they might affect your knee and your timing for surgery.
Source: Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine (doi:10.1136/rapm-2026-107658) · Harvard Health summary
Registry publishes device-level results for partial knee replacement
The American Joint Replacement Registry released a supplement focused on partial (unicompartmental) knee replacements done from 2012 to 2024, including survivorship for specific implant models.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: If you are considering a partial knee, this is the largest US data set on how individual partial knee implants hold up. Your surgeon can tell you which implant they use.
Source: AAOS press release
Medicare’s TEAM payment model begins
The Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) started in selected US hospitals. It makes hospitals responsible for Medicare patients’ care from surgery through 30 days after discharge for several procedures, including hip and knee replacement. Hospitals must also collect patient surveys before and after joint replacement.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: You may be asked to fill out questionnaires about your knee before and after surgery. Your answers help hospitals track whether patients actually get better.
Updated ROSA Knee system cleared
Zimmer Biomet received FDA clearance for ROSA Knee with OptimiZe, which adds automated alignment planning. The company said US availability would begin in early 2026.
What this could change in a conversation with your surgeon: New planning features are designed to personalize alignment. Trials have not yet shown whether personalized alignment leads to better results for patients.
Source: Zimmer Biomet press release
Studies to watch
- RACER-Knee long-term follow-up. The trial team plans to keep following patients to see whether robotic precision affects how long knees last. Lancet 2026
How we choose news
- We include items that could help a patient or family make a better-informed decision: published research, FDA clearances, new technology, registry reports and policy changes.
- Nothing here is sponsored, and listing a product is not an endorsement or a ranking. FDA 510(k) clearance means a device is substantially equivalent to one already on the market. It does not mean it has been shown to work better.
- Company announcements are labeled as such, and we link to the original source so you can check it.
- News is not medical advice. Talk with your surgical team about what applies to you.