Objective To summarize the computer assisted navigation and robotics in the classification of knee surgery, and the development, surgical indications and contraindication, effectiveness, and the research progress of computer assisted navigation and robotics in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods The related literature on computer assisted navigation and robotics in UKA was extensively reviewed, summarized, and analyzed. Results Recently, satisfactory results have been achieved in UKA for the treatment of single compartmental knee osteoarthritis. With the rapid development of computer navigation and robotic technology gradually combined with clinical practice, the great precision and accuracy of implant have been improved in computer navigation and robotics in UKA surgery. Postoperative function is well recovered, meanwhile, prosthesis survival can be significantly increased. Conclusion Computer assisted navigation and robotics in UKA can greatly improve the accuracy of the implant when compared with traditional UKA. The early effectiveness is satisfactory, but the long-term effectiveness still needs to be further observed.
ObjectiveTo compare the patient-reported outcomes regarding function, joint amnesia, and the quality of life after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods The clinical data of patients who received UKA or TKA between September 2017 and June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. After propensity score matching, 40 patients (40 knees) each in TKA group and UKA group were finally included in the study. There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, body mass index, surgical side, preoperative knee range of motion, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, clinical and function scores of knee society score (KSS) (P>0.05). At 2 years after operation, WOMAC score, KSS clinical and function scores were performed on the two groups of patients, and compared with preoperative ones; knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score-physical function short form (KOOS-PS), short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36 scale), and forgotten joint score (FJS) were also performed. Results At 2 years after operation, the total score of WOMAC, the clinical and function scores of KSS in the two groups significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the total score of WOMAC, the individual score of WOMAC, the clinical and function scores of KSS between the two groups (P>0.05). The total KOOS-PS score in the UKA group was significantly lower than that in the TKA group (t=4.243, P=0.000), and the scores of writhing/knee rotation, kneeling, and squatting in the UKA group were significantly lower than those in the TKA group (P<0.05). The total FJS score in the UKA group was significantly higher than that in the TKA group (t=−6.334, P=0.000). In the UKA group, the scores of 7 items were significantly lower than those of the TKA group (P<0.05) including when walking over 15 minutes, when climbing stairs, when walking on uneven ground, when standing for long periods, when doing housework or gardening, when taking a walk or hiking, and when doing your favorite sport. The SF-36 scales of physiological function, energy, social function, emotional function, and mental health in the UKA group were significantly higher than those in the TKA group (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with TKA, patients treated with UKA may have better knee function recovery, joint amnesia, and higher quality of life.
Objective To summarize the current research progress about influence of patellofemoral osteoarthritis on clinical outcome of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods The recent related literature was extensively reviewed and summarized, including pros and cons to regard the patellofemoral osteoarthritis as the contraindication. Results Previous studies regarded patellofemoral osteoarthritis as the contraindication of UKA. Most of current researches show that the damage to the articular cartilage of the patellofemoral joint to the extent of full-thickness cartilage loss has no influence on outcome of UKA. There is no correlation between preoperative anterior knee pain or medial patellofemoral joint degeneration and the clinical outcome. However, lateral subluxation of the patella has an adverse impact on postoperative curative effect. Degeneration of the lateral patellofemoral joint may be a risk factor of the outcome. Conclusion Patellofemoral osteoarthritis should not be the absolute contraindication of UKA. The effect of degeneration of the lateral patellofemoral joint is not clear at present, and still needs further studies in the future.
ObjectiveTo explore the gait trajectory characteristics and effectiveness after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).MethodsThirty patients (30 knees) with anterior medial compartment osteoarthritis who were treated with UKA between January 2017 and December 2018 were selected as subjects (UKA group). According to age, gender, and side, 30 patients (30 knees) with knee osteoarthritis treated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were selected as control (TKA group). In addition to the range of motion (ROM) before operation showing significant difference between the two groups (t=4.25, P=0.00), there was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, sides, body mass index, and preoperative hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The incision length, drainage volume within 24 hours after operation, and the changes of hemoglobin and albumin were recorded. The WOMAC score, ROM, and HKA before and after operation were compared between the two groups. At 1 year after operation, the gait trajectory characteristics of two groups were analyzed by Vicon three-dimensional gait capture system, and the absolute symmetry index (ASI) of the lower limbs of the two groups was calculated.ResultsThe incisions of the two groups healed by first intention, with no complications. The incision length, drainage volume within 24 hours, and the changes of hemoglobin and albumin after operation in the UKA group were significantly smaller than those in the control group (P<0.05). All patients were followed up completely, the follow-up time ranged from 13 to 20 months of UKA group (mean, 18 months) and 16 to 24 months of control group (mean, 20 months). The imaging review showed that the lower limb alignment of the two groups were restored to a neutral position, and the position of prosthesis was good. At 1 year after operation, the WOMAC score, HKA, and ROM of two groups were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05); the postoperative WOMAC score and ROM of the UKA group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in HKA between the two groups (t=1.54, P=0.13). Gait analysis at 1 year after operation showed that the walking speed, stride length, knee extension at mid-stance, and flexion at swing in the UKA group were significantly better than those in the TKA group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in cadence, knee flexion at initial contact, and knee flexion at loading response between the two groups (P>0.05). The ASI of bilateral knee flexion in the UKA group was significantly greater than that in the TKA group during the initial contact and loading response period (P<0.05).ConclusionCompared with TKA, UKA has the advantages of small incision, less blood loss, and quicker functional recovery. The early gait after UKA is mainly manifested as the increase in walking speed, stride length, knee flexion at swing, and extension at mid-stance phase. From the analysis of gait symmetry, during the initial contact and loading response phase, the operation side after UKA undertakes more shock absorption and joint stabilization functions than the contralateral side.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis of super-age patients over 85 years old.MethodsSenile patients with unilateral compartment osteoarthritis of the knee who received UKA between November 2013 and May 2017 and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled as the research objects. Among them, 40 patients (50 knees) were more than 85 years old (super-age group) and 44 patients (50 knees) were 52-81 years old (control group). There was significant difference in age between the two groups (t=17.33, P=0.00). There was no significant difference in body mass index, degenerative classification of medial and lateral compartments, varus deformity of knee, disease duration, complicating diseases, and preoperative hemoglobin, hematocrit (HCT), American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, range of motion (ROM) of knee, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and femoral-tibial angle (FTA) between the two groups (P>0.05). Hospital stay, hemoglobin, and HCT of the two groups were recorded before operation and on the first day after operation. The changes of hemoglobin and HCT after operation were calculated. During follow-up period, the ROM of the knee, HSS score, and VAS score were measured; the position of the prosthesis and FTA were observed by X-ray films.ResultsThere was no significant difference in hospital stay between the two groups (t=1.05, P=0.29). Hemoglobin and HCT of the two groups on the first day after operation were significantly lower than those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the postoperative changes of hemoglobin and HCT between the two groups (P>0.05). All the patients were followed up completely except 4 cases (5 knees) in the super-age group. The follow-up time ranged from 14 to 44 months of super-age group (mean, 29 months) and 21 to 33 months of control group (mean, 24 months). There were significant differences in HSS score, VAS score, ROM of the knee, and FTA between pre-operation and last follow-up in the two groups (P<0.05). There was significant difference in HSS score between the two groups (P<0.05), and no significant difference was found in ROM, VAS score, and FTA between the two groups (P>0.05). X-ray film showed no adverse position of the prosthesis, infection around the prosthesis, prosthesis loosening, or pathological bright lines.ConclusionUKA combined with reasonable perioperative management in the treatment of super-age patients over 85 years with knee osteoarthritis is safe and feasible, and can obtain satisfactory short-term effectiveness.
The clinical performance and failure issues are significantly influenced by prosthetic malposition in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Uncertainty exists about the impact of the prosthetic joint line height in UKA on tibial insert wear. In this study, we combined the UKA musculoskeletal multibody dynamics model, finite element model and wear model to investigate the effects of seven joint line height cases of fixed UKA implant on postoperative insert contact mechanics, cumulative sliding distance, linear wear depth and volumetric wear. As the elevation of the joint line height in UKA, the medial contact force and the joint anterior-posterior translation during swing phase were increased, and further the maximum von Mises stress, contact stress, linear wear depth, cumulative sliding distance, and the volumetric wear also were increased. Furthermore, the wear area of the insert gradually shifted from the middle region to the rear. Compared to 0 mm joint line height, the maximum linear wear depth and volumetric wear were decreased by 7.9% and 6.8% at –2 mm joint line height, and by 23.7% and 20.6% at –6 mm joint line height, the maximum linear wear depth and volumetric wear increased by 10.7% and 5.9% at +2 mm joint line height, and by 24.1% and 35.7% at +6 mm joint line height, respectively. UKA prosthetic joint line installation errors can significantly affect the wear life of the polyethylene inserted articular surfaces. Therefore, it is conservatively recommended that clinicians limit intraoperative UKA joint line height errors to –2−+2 mm.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. MethodsBetween January 2008 and October 2013, 18 patients with medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee were treated by UKA, including 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 67.2 years (range, 60-72 years). The disease duration ranged from 3 to 5 years (mean, 3.7 years). All patients had loading pain and walk-associated pain of the medial compartmental knee. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.8±1.4. The full-length radiograph of lower limb and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the knee showed medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. According to Ahlback staging, 8 knees were at stageⅡand 10 knees at stageⅢ. The knee range of motion (ROM) was (112.3±11.3)°, and the angle of genu varus was (13.2±1.3)°. The American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 59.0±6.4. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, and no infection or lower limb deep venous thrombosis occurred. All of the patients were followed up 6-50 months (mean, 28 months). No prosthetic loosening and dislocation or lesions of contralateral compartment and patellofemoral joint developed. At 6 months after operation, the VAS score was significantly reduced to 2.8±1.2 (t=9.20, P=0.00); most of patients achieved significant relief of pain. The HSS score was significantly increased to 92.0±3.1 (t=19.69, P=0.00); and the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 94.4%. The knee ROM was (115.2±10.2)°, showing no significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=-0.81, P=0.23). The alignment of limbs showed that the angle of genu varus was significantly reduced to (6.8±2.1)° (t=10.99, P=0.00). ConclusionUKA has satisfactory short-term effectiveness in the treatment of medial compartmental knee osteoarthritis, however, long-term effectiveness need further studies.
Objective To conclude the failure factors of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), and summarize the research progress of revision surgery. MethodsThe literature on UKA at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed to summarize its risk factors, treatment methods, including the evaluation of bone loss, prosthesis selection, and surgical techniques. ResultsThe factors inducing UKA failure mainly include improper indications, technical errors, and others. The application of digital orthopedic technology can reduce failures caused by surgical technical errors and shorten the learning curve. There are a variety of options for revision surgery after UKA failure, including polyethylene liner replacement, revision with UKA or total knee arthroplasty, with adequate preoperative evaluation prior to implementation. The biggest challenge in revision surgery is the management and reconstruction of bone defects. ConclusionThere is a risk of failure in UKA, which needs to be treated with caution and should be determined according to the type of failure.
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has a long history and has many advantages in some aspects over total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for patients with suitable indications, but it has not been established as a treatment at the same level with TKA. Therefore, 80 members of the British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK) and the European Knee Society (EKS) were invited to attend a joint meeting with the aim of creating an evidence-based consensus statement on UKA, in London, UK (December 2019). A formal consensus process was undertaken at the meeting incorporating a multiple round Delphi exercise, with group discussion of areas of agreement and disagreement between rounds. Five consensus statements were issued: ① UKA should be offered as a successful alternative to TKA in patients undergoing arthroplasty who meet agreed indications. ② When consenting a patient for UKA, information including the benefits and risks that are specific to UKA, should be tailored to and discussed with the individual patient. ③ Evidence suggests that surgeons should avoid low-volume use of UKA to optimise outcomes for their patients. ④ Surgeons should use the contemporary evidence-based indications and contraindications for medial UKA. ⑤ Knee arthroplasty surgeons should have exposure to and training in UKA. On the basis of full study of the consensus, combined with the Expert Consensus on Perioperative Management of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in China in 2020, this paper elaborates the meaning of the final evidence-based consensus for clinicians’ reference.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical application and research progress in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).MethodsThe literature related to UKA in recent years was reviewed and the emerging indications, implant options, comparisons between other surgical techniques, and recent advances were summarized.ResultsClinical studies show that UKA has many advantages, such as less trauma, faster recovery, and fewer postoperative complications. At present, the operative indication has been expanded. The body mass index more than 25 kg/m2, less than 60 years old, patellofemoral arthritis, and anterior cruciate ligament dysfunction are no longer considered as contraindications. The prosthesis type in UKA should be selected according to the patient’s condition. In recent years, the robot-assisted UKA can effectively improve the effectiveness, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce postoperative complications.ConclusionWith the development of surgical techniques, designs of prosthesis, and the robotic technology, UKA would be further applicated. As more long-term data on UKA become available, it will further guide clinicians in counseling patients on whether UKA should be performed.