New knee implant aims to unload pain without replacement
NCT ID NCT02934659
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested the Atlas Knee System, a device implanted outside the knee joint to reduce pressure on the inner knee, in 50 people with medial knee osteoarthritis. The goal was to see if it safely relieves pain and improves function over 24 months. Participants were followed for improvements in pain, daily activities, and knee movement, while monitoring for complications.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Atlas Knee System (a device implanted outside the knee joint capsule to reduce load on the inner knee)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this device could offer a new way to relieve pain and improve function for people with knee osteoarthritis, potentially delaying or avoiding knee replacement surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early pilot study with only 50 participants and no comparison group. The device is surgically implanted, which carries risks like infection or device-related problems. Long-term benefits and safety are not yet proven.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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50 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2016
- Finished
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May 2023
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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25 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female subjects age 25 to 80 years at time of screening 2. Clinical symptoms (such as pain primarily localized to the medial aspect of the knee and generally exacerbated by weight bearing) and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in the medial compartment of the knee * Weight-bearing Fixed Flexion view is recommended to verify radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis * KL Grade 1-4, except those with bony erosion 3. Has pain in the study knee as demonstrated by a minimum score of 40 (scale 0-100) on the WOMAC pain questions in KOOS 4. Has failed at least six (6) months of non-operative treatment with continued osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Prior treatment is defined as treatment with at least one of the following interventions (listed on the AAOS Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee Non-arthroplasty): * Lifestyle modification * Weight loss, if BMI ≥35 * Pain relievers * Physical Therapy * Orthotics (Splints, Braces) * Intra-Articular (IA) corticosteroid injections. 5. Knee flexion ≥90⁰ 6. Body Mass Index (BMI) of \<35 or weight \<300 lbs. 7. Subjects who are able to give voluntary written informed consent to participate in this clinical investigation 8. Subjects, who, in the opinion of the Clinical Investigator, are able to understand this clinical investigation, cooperate with the investigational procedures, and are willing to return for all the required post-treatment follow up visits. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Clinical symptoms or radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in the lateral compartment of the study knee defined as Kellgren \& Lawrence (K\&L) grade of \> 1 2. Clinical symptoms or radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis in the patella-femoral compartment of the study knee defined as K\&L grade ≥ 3 3. Clinical symptoms or radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis at the contralateral knee that would preclude activity of daily living, stair climbing, stair descending, or requires the use of an assist device 4. Tibial-femoral alignment of more than 10⁰ of varus, or more than 6⁰ of valgus, as measured using anatomical axis on a standing Hip-Knee-Ankle or long standing AP view X-ray OR Hip-Knee-Ankle alignment of more than 16⁰ of varus, or more than 0⁰ of valgus, as measured using mechanical axis on a standing Hip-Knee-Ankle AP view x-ray 5. Previous joint modifying surgery in the study knee within 12 months prior to planned surgery date such as ligament reconstruction, meniscus repair, cartilage transplantation, and microfracture 6. Arthroscopic surgeries for joint lavage, meniscectomy, chondral debridement, and loose body removal are excluded if within 3 months prior to planned surgery date; 7. Active infection, sepsis, osteomyelitis or history of septic arthritis in any joint; 8. Previous lateral meniscectomy \>30% of the study knee 9. Previous patellar surgery in the study knee 10. Previous osteotomy or failed knee joint replacement in the study knee 11. Hyperextension \>5⁰ 12. Flexion contracture \> 10⁰ 13. Pathologic ligamentous or meniscal instability (Lachman \> 1) as assessed by the Investigator; 14. Suspected or documented allergy or hypersensitivity to cobalt, chromium, iron, or nickel metals; 15. Rheumatoid arthritis, other forms of inflammatory joint disease or autoimmune disorder; 16. Paget's disease or metabolic disorders which may impair bone formation; 17. Known or suspected diagnosis of Osteomalacia; 18. Known or suspected diagnosis of Osteonecrosis; 19. Rapid joint destruction, marked bone loss or bone resorption apparent on x-ray; 20. Osteoporosis or radiolucency of the femoral or tibial cortex on x-ray suggestive of moderate to severe osteoporosis, pathologic fractures, or bone mineral density T score of \> 2.5 Standard Deviation (SD) below young adult reference mean (all subjects will be screened for risk of osteoporosis using the validated Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST) score, subjects with high risk will undergo a DEXA scan to determine eligibility; 21. Charcot's joint disease or other severe neurosensory deficits; 22. Vascular insufficiency, muscular atrophy, neuromuscular disease; 23. Immunologically suppressed or immunocompromised; 24. History of systemic steroid treatment, medication use that affects bone metabolism (such as chemotherapy) within the previous 6 months, or radiotherapy within the previous 6 months 25. Any significant medical condition including: * Diabetes mellitus requiring daily insulin therapy * Neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia, or any knee or other pain requiring chronic pain management * Advanced liver and kidney diseases * Congestive heart failure * Uncontrolled transient ischemic attack * Cancer * HIV (immunocompromised subject) * Radicular symptoms associated with lumbar spine pathology * Neurological disorders that result in gait disturbance * Restless leg syndrome * History of complex regional pain syndrome (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD); l. Significant psychiatric disorders (such as major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia); m. History or active substance and alcohol dependence and abuse (meeting standard diagnostic criteria described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV) 26. Other factors that the investigator feels would interfere with the participation and completion of the study: * Planned relocation * Litigation for or workers compensation for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders * Uncooperative subject * Or any other reason. 27. Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant 28. Subjects who are currently involved in any investigational drug or device trial or have been enrolled in such trials within the last 3 months 29. Prisoners or wards of the state.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, 85006, United States
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States
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Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, 27705, United States
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Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS)
New York, New York, 10021, United States
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Houston Methodist
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, 43202, United States
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Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
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Orthropaedic Research Foundation
Greenwood, Indiana, 46143, United States
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University of Virginia, Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, United States
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