Aims

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is the preferred treatment for anterior medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) owing to the rapid postoperative recovery. However, the risk factors for UKA failure remain controversial.

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of robotic arm-assisted bi-unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (bi-UKA) with conventional mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) during the first six weeks and at one year postoperatively.

Aims

The Oswestry-Bristol Classification (OBC) is an MRI-specific assessment tool to grade trochlear dysplasia. The aim of this study is to validate clinically the OBC by demonstrating its use in selecting treatments that are safe and effective.

Aims

To date, no study has demonstrated an improvement in postoperative outcomes following elective joint arthroplasty with a focus on nutritional intervention for patients with preoperative hypoalbuminaemia. In this prospective study, we evaluated differences in the hospital length of stay (LOS), rate of re-admission, and total patient charges for a malnourished patient study population who received a specific nutrition protocol before surgery.

Aims. An evidence-based radiographic Decision Aid for meniscal-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has been developed and this study investigates its performance at an independent centre. Patients and Methods. Pre-operative radiographs, including stress views, from a consecutive cohort of 550 knees undergoing arthroplasty (UKA or total knee arthroplasty; TKA) by a single-surgeon were assessed. Suitability for UKA was determined using the Decision Aid, with the assessor blinded to treatment received, and compared with actual treatment received, which was determined by an experienced UKA surgeon based on history, examination, radiographic assessment including stress radiographs, and intra-operative assessment in line with the recommended indications as described in the literature. Results. The sensitivity and specificity of the Decision Aid was 92% and 88%, respectively. Excluding knees where a clear pre-operative plan was made to perform TKA, i.e. patient request, the sensitivity was 93% and specificity 96%. The false-positive rate was low (2.4%) with all affected patients readily identifiable during joint inspection at surgery. In patients meeting Decision Aid criteria and receiving UKA, the five-year survival was 99% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 97 to 100). The false negatives (3.5%), who received UKA but did not meet the criteria, had significantly worse functional outcomes (flexion p < 0.001, American Knee Society Score - Functional p < 0.001, University of California Los Angeles score p = 0.04), and lower implant survival of 93.1% (95% CI 77.6 to 100). Conclusion. The radiographic Decision Aid safely and reliably identifies appropriate patients for meniscal-bearing UKA and achieves good results in this population. The widespread use of the Decision Aid should improve the results of UKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B(10 Suppl B):3–10

Cartilage repair in terms of replacement, or regeneration of damaged or diseased articular cartilage with functional tissue, is the ‘holy grail’ of joint surgery. A wide spectrum of strategies for cartilage repair currently exists and several of these techniques have been reported to be associated with successful clinical outcomes for appropriately selected indications. However, based on respective advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, no single strategy, or even combination of strategies, provides surgeons with viable options for attaining successful long-term outcomes in the majority of patients. As such, development of novel techniques and optimisation of current techniques need to be, and are, the focus of a great deal of research from the basic science level to clinical trials. Translational research that bridges scientific discoveries to clinical application involves the use of animal models in order to assess safety and efficacy for regulatory approval for human use. This review article provides an overview of animal models for cartilage repair. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;4:89–94

The outcome of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) deteriorates with time, and additional procedures may be required. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) and total knee replacement (TKR) after HTO as well as after primary UKR. A total of 63 patients (63 knees) were studied retrospectively and divided into three groups: UKR after HTO (group A; n = 22), TKR after HTO (group B; n = 18) and primary UKR (group C; n = 22). The Oxford knee score (OKS), Knee Society score (KSS), hip–knee–ankle angles, mechanical axis and patellar height were evaluated pre- and post-operatively. At a mean of 64 months (19 to 180) post-operatively the mean OKS was 43.8 (33 to 49), 43.3 (30 to 48) and 42.5 (29 to 48) for groups A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.73). The mean KSS knee score was 88.8 (54 to 100), 88.11 (51 to 100) and 85.3 (45 to 100) for groups A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.65), and the mean KSS function score was 85.0 (50 to 100) in group A, 85.8 (20 to 100) in group B and 79.3 (50 to 100) in group C (p = 0.48). Radiologically the results were comparable for all groups except for patellar height, with a higher incidence of patella infra following a previous HTO (p = 0.02).

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1348–53.

We identified 148 patients who had undergone a revision total knee replacement using a single implant system between 1990 and 2000. Of these 18 patients had died, six had developed a peri-prosthetic fracture and ten had incomplete records or radiographs. This left 114 with prospectively-collected radiographs and Bristol knee scores available for study. The height of the joint line before and after revision total knee replacement was measured and classified as either restored to within 5 mm of the pre-operative height or elevated if it was positioned more than 5 mm above the pre-operative height. The joint line was elevated in 41 knees (36%) and restored in 73 (64%).

Revision surgery significantly improved the mean Bristol knee score from 41.1 (sd 15.9) pre-operatively to 80.5 (sd 15) post-operatively (p < 0.001). At one year post-operatively both the total Bristol knee score and its functional component were significantly better in the restored group than in the elevated group (p < 0.01). Overall, revision from a unicondylar knee replacement required less use of bone graft, fewer component augments, restored the joint line more often and gave a significantly better total Bristol knee score (p < 0.02) and functional score (p < 0.01) than revision from total knee replacement.

Our findings show that restoration of the joint line at revision total knee replacement gives a significantly better result than leaving it unrestored by more than 5 mm. We recommend the greater use of distal femoral augments to help to achieve this goal.

Between July 1986 and August 1996, we performed 32 total knee arthroplasties (TKA) on 32 patients with partially or completely ankylosed knees secondary to infection. Their mean age at surgery was 40 years (20 to 63) and the mean follow-up was ten years (5 to 13). The mean post-operative range of movement was 75.3° (30 to 115) in those with complete and 98.7° (60 to 130) in those with partial ankylosis. The mean Hospital for Special Surgery knee score increased from 57 to 86 points post-operatively. There were complications in four knees (12.5%), which included superficial infection (one), deep infection (one), supracondylar femoral fracture (one) and transient palsy of the common peroneal nerve (one). Although TKA in the ankylosed knee is technically demanding and has a considerable rate of complications, reasonable restoration of function can be obtained by careful selection of patients, meticulous surgical technique, and aggressive rehabilitation.