REVIEW ARTICLE Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is a procedure that resurfaces only 1 compartment of the tibio-femoral joint. The procedure is indicated for patients who have unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee with mild deformity. It is contraindicated for inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid and gouty arthritis and for knees with significant deformity or a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Compared with high tibial osteotomy, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has fewer perioperative complications, faster rehabilitation, better knee function, and longer survival. Compared with tricompartmental knee replacement, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty produces close to original knee kinematics, better range of motion and ambulatory function, and higher patient satisfaction. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is also easier to revise with better outcome when compared with tricompartmental knee replacement. Ninety percent to 98 % 10-year survival has been reported for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. In view of these advantages, there has been a resurgence of interest in the procedure in the USA, Europe, and Asia