ANTERIOR CRUCIATE RECONSTRUCTION AND OXFORD UNICOMPARTMENTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY: A VIABLE TREATMENT OPTION FOR ARTHRITIC ACL DEFICIENT KNEES

Abstract

Introduction: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is an increasingly popular procedure for young osteoarthritic patients whose age and activity levels preclude the use of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, successful reconstruction using an unconstrained mobile bearing implant requires an intact and functioning ACL. Patients with isolated medial compartment OA and an absent ACL therefore provide a management dilemma for the treating surgeon. One option is to perform a combined ACL reconstruction and mobile bearing UKA. This paper presents early results of this new procedure using an Oxford UKA and ACL reconstruction using an autograft.

Materials and Methods: Eleven patients who underwent one or two-staged ACL reconstruction and Oxford UKA for treatment of symptomatic medial compartment OA were reviewed at one year after surgery. The combined procedure required specific precautions and considerations; care had to be taken to place the tibial tunnel as far laterally as possible to avoid impingement of the graft by the tibial implant. Also, the presence of a posteromedial, rather than an anteromedial cartilage defect has the potential to reduce accuracy for placement of the initial tibial cut.

Results: All patients were male with an average age of 49 years (range: 36 – 52) and mean follow up of 1.3 years. One patient needed revision to TKA due to infection. The objective and functional knee society scores improved pre to post operatively from 55 to 98, and 85 to 100, respectively.

Conclusions: ACL reconstruction and simultaneous or staged UKA is a viable treatment option for patients with symptomatic medial compartment arthritis in whom the ACL is absent. Early results of this technically demanding procedure are encouraging but longer follow-up is required.