EPIK Study
Expressions of Interest are open
We are inviting orthopaedic surgeons across Australia to take part in the EPIK Trial (Early Pain Intervention after Knee Replacement). Surgeons play a vital role in supporting their patients on their journey after knee replacement, and access to the EPIK model of care.
About the Study
This study is aimed at improving recovery and quality of life after knee replacement surgery.
In the EPIK Study, our team of clinicians and researchers want to support people who have recently had a total knee replacement, so that they can recover more comfortably, return to activity, and reduce the risk of long-term pain.
Persistent pain is a common complication after knee replacement surgery. It can involve:
Ongoing knee pain and stiffness
Difficulty moving and exercising
Low energy or fatigue
Reduced quality of life
EPIK stands for Early Pain Intervention after Knee replacement.
We know that early pain management strategies, combined with exercise, education, and ongoing support, can improve outcomes after surgery. However, this type of structured support is not routinely available, and many people continue to struggle with pain long after their operation.
In the EPIK Study we will compare different ways of providing early support for people after knee replacement. We want to understand whether adding a structured, physiotherapist-led program to usual care can reduce persistent pain and improve function.
Why should surgeons participate?”
By joining the EPIK trial, your patients may have early access to structured assessment and intervention, delivered by trained physiotherapists via telehealth.
Up to 1 in 4 patients experience persistent pain following TKR.
Most cases (>90%) are due to neuropathic mechanisms or problems with managing pain, rather than surgical problems.
By joining our trial, you may improve patient satisfaction and outcomes, while supporting your surgical practice with evidence-based follow-up.
What does participation involve?
- Consent for PROMs
- Agree for your patients to be included in the AOANJRR 3-month Oxford Knee Score (OKS) collection to assess eligibility.
- This process is fully automated through the AOANJRR PROMs program.
- Patient notification
- You will be notified if one of your patients is eligible and consents to participate in the EPIK trial.
- You will receive updates on their progress throughout the study.
Learn more by watching this video
What do we want to find out in this study?
We want to understand if the EPIK program can:
- Reduce the risk of long-term pain after knee replacement
- Improve mobility and independence
- Enhance quality of life and wellbeing
- Support recovery in a safe and effective way
How to get involved
Complete the short online form or scan the QR code to register your interest.
For more information, contact the EPIK study team at info@epikstudy.org
Who is conducting and paying for this research?
The EPIK Study is being conducted by a multidisciplinary team of researchers. The Coordinating Principal Investigator is Prof. Sam Adie, an orthopaedic surgeon at St. Goerge and Sutherland Hospitals in Sydney and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UNSW. The research is being sponsored by the University of New South Wales, and has been funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Ramsay Hospital Research Foundation.
Funding of the research
National Health & Medical Research Council, Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants 2023, no. 2032516, CIA Sam Adie
Ramsay Hospital Research Foundation, Translational Challenge Grant 2023, no. 2023/TCG/0048, CI Sam Adie
Lead Investigator
Prof Sam Adie
Website by: 