Historically, the outcomes of knee replacement were evaluated based on implant longevity, major complications and range of motion. Over the last recent years however, there has been an intensively growth of interest in the patient's perception of functional outcome. However, the currently used patient related outcome (PRO) scores are limited by ceiling effects which limit the possibility to distinguish between good and excellent results post knee arthroplasty. The Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) is a new PRO score which is not influenced by ceiling effects, therefore making it the ideal instrument to compare functional outcome between various types of implants. It is based on the thought that the ultimate goal in joint arthroplasty is the ability of a patient to forget their artificial joint in everyday life. The aim of this study is to compare the FJS between patients who undergo TKA and patients who undergo medial UKA at least 12 months post-operatively. We hypothesized that the UKA which is less extensive surgical procedure will present better FJS than TKA, even 12 month postoperative. All patients who underwent medial UKA or TKA were contacted 12 months post-operatively. They were asked to complete the FJS, the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). A priori power analysis was conducted using two-sample t-test. 64 patients in each group were needed to reach 80% power for detecting a 12 point (SD 24) significant difference on the FJS scale with a two-sided significant level of 0.05. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Introduction
Methods
Chronic uneven distribution of forces over the articular cartilage, which are present in OA, has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of OA. Certain regions of the articular cartilage will be exposed to increased chronic peak loads, whereas other regions encounter a corresponding relative reduction of transmitted forces. This has a well known influence on cartilage viability and is a precursor of degenerative progression. Congruence of joints has an important impact on force distribution across articular surfaces. Therefore, tibiofemoral incongruence could lead to alterations of load distribution and ultimately to progressive degenerative changes. In clinical practice the routine method for evaluation of progressive OA is analysis of joint space width (JSW) using weight bearing radiographs. Recent studies have suggested that JSW has a strong positive correlation with cartilage compression, volume and meniscal extrusion Lateral unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) has gained increasing popularity over the last decade in the treatment of isolated unicompartmental osteoarthritis (OA). However, progressive degenerative alterations of the medial compartment following lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty remains a leading cause of revision surgery. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the medial compartment congruence (MCC) and joint space width (JSW) alterations following lateral UKA. The MCC of 53 knees following lateral UKA was evaluated on pre- and postoperative radiographs and compared to 41 healthy knees, using an Interative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm. The ICP algorithm calculated the Congruence Index (CI) by performing a rigid transformation that best aligns the digitized tibial and femoral surfaces (figure 1A). Inner, middle and outer JSW was measured by subdividing the medial compartment into four quarters on weight bearing tunnel view radiographs pre- and postoperatively (figure 1B).Introduction
Methods
There are several advantages of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in the treatment of isolated compartment osteoarthritis (OA) compared to the conventional total knee arthroplasty. Although various series report similar survivorship results, the national registries tend to show higher revision rates among the UKA. Persisting, unexplainable pain is a leading cause for UKA revision surgery. Therefore it is essential to investigate the various patient specific characteristics which might influence outcome following UKA in order to minimize revision rates and optimize clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the various individual patient factors, including pre-operative radiographic parameters, on the outcome following UKA. 168 consecutive patients who underwent robot assisted UKA (MAKO Tactile Guidance System, MAKO Surgical Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA) were included. The investigated pre- and/or postoperative parameters included gender, BMI, age, type of tibial implant (inlay versus onlay), laterality, state of OA (i.e. Kellgren and Lawrence grade) of the operated and non-operated compartment and mechanical axis alignment. Pre-operatively and at a minimum of 1 year (average 1.97 years, range 1 – 4.2 years) following surgery, patients were asked to complete the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. It is subdivided in three separate scales (i.e. pain, stiffness and function). A score of 0 represents the best possible outcome and a score of 100 the worst. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Introduction
Methods
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a well established method for treatment of single compartment arthritis. However, a subset of patients still present with continued pain after their procedure in the setting of a normal radiographic examination. We propose the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a useful modality in determining the etiology of symptoms in symptomatic unicompartmental knee arthroplasties. An IRB-approved retrospective analysis of 300 consecutive unicompartmental knee arthroplasties between 2008–2010 found 28 cases symptomatic for continued pain. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed with a 1.5 T Surface Coil unit after clinical and radiographic assessment. MRI evaluation included assessment for osteoarthritis, synovitis, osteolysis, and loosening. Validated questionnaires including PAQ, WOMAC and UCLA Activity Score were used for clinical assessmentIntroduction:
Materials & Methods:
Limb alignment after unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) has a significant impact on surgical outcomes. The literature lacks studies that evaluate the limb alignment after lateral UKA or compare alignment outcomes between medial and lateral UKA. In this study, we retrospectively compare a single surgeon's alignment outcomes between medial and lateral UKA using a robotic-guided protocol. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using the same planning software and robotic guidance for execution of the surgical plan. The senior surgeon's prospective database was reviewed to identify patients who had 1) undergone medial or lateral UKA for unicompartmental osteoarthritis; and 2) had adequate pre- and post-operative full-length standing radiographs. There were 229 medial UKAs and 37 lateral UKAs in this study. Mechanical limb alignment was measured in standing long limb radiographs both pre- and post-operatively. Intra-operatively, limb alignment was measured using the computer assisted navigation system. The primary outcome was over-correction of the mechanical alignment (i.e, past neutral). Our secondary outcome was the difference between the radiographic post-operative alignment and the intra-operative “virtual” alignment as measured by the computer navigation system. This allowed an assessment of the accuracy of our navigation system for predicting post-operative limb alignment after UKA.Introduction
Methods
The number of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKA) performed over the last decade has increased by 30%, as studies have demonstrated improved knee kinematics, range of motion, and decreased perioperative morbidity versus total knee arthroplasty. However, concerns remain regarding the future risk of revision due to lateral compartment degeneration. In patients with a varus mechanical alignment and tibiofemoral subluxation secondary to medial compartment osteoarthritis, the femoral and tibial articular surfaces of the lateral compartment subsequently become incongruous, potentially increasing the focal contact stresses seen with loading. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the tibiofemoral congruence of the lateral compartment of the knee is improved following a medial UKA. This study is a retrospective review of 192 consecutive medial UKAs included in an IRB-approved, single-surgeon database. All UKAs were performed using a robot-assisted surgical technique. Preoperative and postoperative standing, anteroposterior hip-to-ankle radiographs controlling for lower extremity rotation were performed from which the congruence of the lateral compartment was measured. The preoperative and postoperative degree of articular congruence (congruence index, CI) was calculated using an iterative closest point (ICP)-based software code (Matlab, MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA), specially developed to evaluate congruence of knee compartments. Following digitization of the articular surfaces of the femur and tibia, the code performs a rigid transformation that best aligns the articular surfaces and evaluates the current degree of articular congruence. A congruence index (CI) is then calculated, with a value of 1 indicating complete congruence, and a value of 0 indicating a 100% dislocation of the articular surfaces. A student's t-test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative values of lateral compartment congruence.Introduction:
Methods:
Two fixed bearing options exist for tibial resurfacing when performing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Inlay components are polyethylene-only implants inserted into a carved pocket on the tibial surface, relying upon the subchondral bone to support the implant. Onlay components have a metal base plate and are placed on top of a flat tibial cut, supported by a rim of cortical bone. To our knowledge, there is no published report that compares the clinical outcomes of these two implants using a robotically controlled surgical technique. We performed a retrospective review of a single surgeon's experience with Inlay versus Onlay components, using a robotic-guided protocol. All surgeries were performed using the same planning software and robotic guidance for execution of the surgical plan (Mako Surgical, Fort Lauderdale, FL). The senior surgeon's prospective database was reviewed to identify patients with 1) medial-sided UKA and 2) at least two years of clinical follow up. Eighty-six patients met these inclusion/exclusion criteria: 41 Inlays and 45 Onlays. Five patients underwent a secondary or revision procedure during the follow up period and were considered separately. Our primary outcome was the WOMAC score, subcategorized by the Pain, Stiffness, and Function sub-scores. The secondary outcome was need for secondary surgery. Continuous variables were analyzed using the two-tailed Student's t-test; categorical variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.Introduction:
Methods:
Lower limb alignment after unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) has a significant impact on surgical outcomes. The literature lacks studies that evaluate the limb alignment after lateral UKA or compare it to alignment outcomes after medial UKA, making our understanding of this issue based on medial UKA studies. Unfortunately, since the geometry, mechanics, and ligamentous physiology are different between these two compartments, drawing conclusions for lateral UKAs based on medial UKA results may be imprecise and misleading. The purpose of this study was to compare the risk for limb alignment overcorrection and the ability to predict postoperative limb alignment between medial and lateral UKA. We evaluated the results of mechanical limb alignment in 241 patients with unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis who underwent medial or lateral UKA; there were 229 medial UKAs and 37 lateral UKAs. Mechanical limb alignment was measured in standing long limb radiographs pre and post-operatively, intra-operatively it was measured using a computer assisted navigation system. Between the two cohorts, we compared the percentage of overcorrection and the difference between post-operative alignment and alignment measured by the navigation system. The percentage of overcorrection was significantly higher in the lateral UKA group (11%), when compared to the medial UKA group (4%), (p= 0.0001). In the medial UKA group, the mean difference between the intraoperative “virtual” alignment provided by the navigation system, and the post-operative, radiographically measured mechanical axis, was 1.33°(±1.2°). This was significantly lower than the mean 1.86° (±1.33°) difference in the lateral UKA group (p=0.019). Our data demonstrated an increased risk of mechanical limb alignment overcorrection and greater difficulty in predicting postoperative alignment using computer navigation, when performing lateral UKAs compared to medial UKAs.
The surgical treatment of scaphoid fractures consists of reduction of the fracture followed by stable internal fixation using a headless compression screw. Proper positioning of the screw remains technically challenging and therefore computer assisted surgery may have an advantage. Navigation assisted surgery requires placement and registration of stable reference markers which is technically impossible in a small bone like the scaphoid. Custom made wrist-positioning devices with built-in reference markers have been developed for this purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a different method of navigation assisted scaphoid fracture fixation. Temporary stabilisation with a pin of the scaphoid to the radius enables placement of the reference markers on the radius. Our hypothesis was that this method will achieve precise fracture fixation, superior to the standard free hand technique. In 20 identical saw bone models with mobile scaphoids, the scaphoid was stabilised to the radius using one Kirschner wire (KW). An additional KW representing the fixating screw was placed either using the Mazor Renaissance Robotic System (MAZOR Surgical Technologies, Israel) or standard free hand technique. CT scans were performed prior to fixation and after fixation in order to plan the location of the KW and compare this planned location with the final result.Purpose
Methods
Lower limb alignment after unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) has a significant impact on surgical outcomes. The literature lacks studies that evaluate the limb alignment after lateral UKA or compare it to alignment outcomes after medial UKA, making our understanding of this issue based on medial UKA studies. Unfortunately, since the geometry, mechanics, and ligamentous physiology are different between these two compartments, drawing conclusions for lateral UKAs based on medial UKA results may be imprecise and misleading. The purpose of this study was to compare the risk for limb alignment overcorrection and the ability to predict postoperative limb alignment between medial and lateral UKA. We evaluated the results of mechanical limb alignment in 241 patients with unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis who underwent medial or lateral UKA; there were 229 medial UKAs and 37 lateral UKAs. Mechanical limb alignment was measured in standing long limb radiographs pre and post-operatively, intra-operatively it was measured using a computer assisted navigation system. Between the two cohorts, we compared the percentage of overcorrection and the difference between post-operative alignment and alignment measured by the navigation system. The percentage of overcorrection was significantly higher in the lateral UKA group (11%), when compared to the medial UKA group (4%), (p= 0.0001). In the medial UKA group, the mean difference between the intraoperative “virtual” alignment provided by the navigation system, and the post-operative, radiographically measured mechanical axis, was 1.33°(±1.2°). This was significantly lower than the mean 1.86° (±1.33°) difference in the lateral UKA group (p=0.019). Our data demonstrated an increased risk of mechanical limb alignment overcorrection and greater difficulty in predicting postoperative alignment using computer navigation, when performing lateral UKAs compared to medial UKAs.
