Editorial: Why the randomized controlled trial is still at the apex and the gold standard for evaluating new medical and surgical interventions

Reito A, Lehtovirta L, Lainiala O, Mäkelä K, Eskelinen A. Lack of evidence—the anti-stepwise introduction of metal-on-metal hip replacements. Acta Orthop 2017; 88(5): 478-83. doi: 10.1080/17453674.2017.1353794. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2017.1353794

Health C for D and R. Breakthrough Devices Program. FDA [Internet]. 2024 July 11 [cited 2025 June 4]; Available from: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/how-study-and-market-your-device/breakthrough-devices-program

Klaassen A D, Jorritsma W, Willigenburg N W, Gerritsma C L E, Ten Have B L E F, Moojen D J F, et al. Effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty versus non-surgery on patient-reported hip function at 3 months: a target trial emulation study of patients with osteoarthritis. Acta Orthop 2025; 96: 310-16. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2025.43332. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/17453674.2025.43332

Hatakka J, Laaksonen I, Kostensalo J, Mäkelä K T, Salo H, Pernaa K. 1-year results of lumbar spinal stenosis surgery in Finland: a national FinSpine register study. Acta Orthop 2025; 96: 154-60. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2025.42849. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/17453674.2025.42849

Irmola T, Reito A, Kangas J, Eskelinen A, Niemeläinen M, Mattila V M, et al. Assessment of improvement in functional outcomes between a novel knee replacement design and conventional designs in 240 patients: a randomized controlled trial. Acta Orthop 2025; 96: 127-34. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2024.42708. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/17453674.2024.42708

Mortensen K R L, Ingelsrud L H, Odgaard A, Kappel A, Varnum C, Schrøder H, et al. Patient-reported outcomes and complications of a new-generation total knee system: a randomized controlled trial. Acta Orthop 2025; 96: 195-202. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2025.43004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/17453674.2025.43004

Skåden Ø, Furnes O N, Lygre S H L, Moldestad I O, Hallan G, Fenstad A M, et al. Radiostereometric measurement of implant migration in robotically assisted vs conventional bi-cruciate stabilized cemented total knee arthroplasty: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Acta Orthop 2025; 96: 283-9. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2025.43081. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/17453674.2025.43081

Puijk R, Koster L A, Pijls B G C W, Singh J, Schager M, Kaptein B L, et al. 5-year migration and inducible displacement of the uncemented LCS and ATTUNE rotating platform knee systems: a secondary report of a randomized controlled RSA trial. Acta Orthop 2025; 96: 59-65. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2024.42744. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/17453674.2024.42744

Christensen R, Ranstam J, Overgaard S, Wagner P. Guidelines for a structured manuscript: statistical methods and reporting in biomedical research journals. Acta Orthop 2023; 94: 243-9. doi: 10.2340/17453674.2023.11656. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/17453674.2023.11656