What have we learned from the kaiser permanente anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction registry (KP ACLRR)?

Abstract

Patient registries are defined as "organized systems that use observational study methods to collect uniform data (clinical and other) to evaluate specified outcomes for a population defined by a particular disease, condition, or exposure, and that serves one or more predetermined scientific, clinical, or policy purposes" [8]. While randomized clinical trials (RCTs) provide a high level of scientific evidence, patient registries provide a unique opportunity to study devices and outcomes in a real-world environment when RCTs are not feasible, practical, or ethical. Registries are ideal when longitudinal follow-up is necessary, when large sample sizes are required to detect rare events, and when examining outcomes in patients with various comorbidities and in different practice settings [8].