Abstract
Introduction: The indications for medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) remain controversial; in particular, those relating to the state of the patello-femoral joint (PFJ). Some authorities consider the presence of anterior knee pain (AKP) and/or full thickness cartilage loss (FTCL) to be a contraindication. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of patello-femoral problems on the outcome of medial UKA.
Materials and Methods: This prospective study involved one hundred knees with cemented medial Oxford UKA (phase 3), via a minimally invasive approach. Pre-operatively presence or absence of AKP was noted. The cartilage status of medial and lateral patello-femoral joint was grade and recorded intra-operatively. Outcome was evaluated at one-year with the Knee Society Score and the Oxford Knee Score (OKS).
Results: 54% of patients had pre-operative AKP. The clinical outcome at one year was not dependent on the presence or absence of pre-operative AKP [OKS: 40.2 (± 8.2) for patients without pre-op. AKP and OKS: 40.8 ((± 6.8) for patients with pre-operative AKP]. 35% of patients had FTCL seen at operation in the PFJ. The outcome at one year was independent of the state of the medial and/or lateral PFJ [OKS = 40.7 (± 7) with normal or partial thickness cartilage loss and OKS = 39.8 (± 7) with full thickness cartilage loss in PFJ]
Conclusions: These short-term results suggest that for the Oxford UKA the presence of anterior knee pain or full thickness cartilage damage in patello-femoral joint should not be considered to be a contraindication.
Honorary Secretary – Mr Roger Smith. Correspondence should be addressed to BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35 - 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
