1. UK Joint Registry Data 2009- higher failure with Unicompartmental and Patellofemoral arthroplasty when compared to total knee replacements

2. UK Joint Registry Data 2009- higher failure with younger patients

3. Australian Joint Registry Data 2009- higher failure with younger patients    for Unicompartmental arthroplasty

4. New Zealand  Joint Registry Data 2008- higher failure with Unicompartmental
    arthroplasty

5. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in patients aged less than 65.

Acta Orthop. 2010 Feb;81(1):90-4.

W-Dahl A, Robertsson O, Lidgren L, Miller L, Davidson D, Graves S.

Department of Orthopaedics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University Hospital, Sweden.

Abstract:INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: In recent years, there has been renewed interest in using unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Several studies have reported increasing numbers of UKAs for osteoarthritis in patients who are less than 65 years of age, with low revision rates. To describe and compare the use and outcome of UKA in this age group, we have combined data from the Australian and Swedish knee registries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: More than 34,000 UKA procedures carried out between 1998 and 2007 were analyzed, and we focused on over 16,000 patients younger than 65 years to determine usage and to determine differences in the revision rate. Survival analysis was used to determine outcomes of revision related to age and sex, using any reason for revision as the endpoint.

RESULTS: Both countries showed a decreasing use of UKA in recent years in terms of the proportion of knee replacements and absolute numbers undertaken per year. The 7-year cumulative risk of revision of UKA in patients younger than 65 years was similar in the two countries. Patients younger than 55 years had a statistically significantly higher cumulative risk of revision than patients aged 55 to 64 years (19% and 12%, respectively at 7 years). The risk of revision in patients less than 65 years of age was similar in both sexes.

INTERPRETATION: The results of the combined UKA data from the Australian and Swedish registries show a uniformity of outcome between countries with patients aged less than 65 having a higher rate of revision than patients who were 65 or older. Surgeons and patients should be aware of the higher risk of revision in this age group.

6. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty compares favorably to total knee arthroplasty in the same patient.

Orthopedics. 2009 Apr;32(4).

Dalury DF, Fisher DA, Adams MJ, Gonzales RA.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St Joseph Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Abstract:There are several surgical management options for medial knee arthritis, and it is often difficult to decide whether a unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is appropriate. Few studies have compared UKAs and TKAs in the same patient. We identified 23 patients with osteoarthritis who had a TKA on one side and a UKA on the other. The preoperative values of the 2 knees were not statistically different. Strict criteria were used to determine whether a UKA could be performed (functional anterior cruciate ligament, minimal deformity, and minimum changes in other compartments). Preoperative radiographs were reviewed to confirm that the knee undergoing TKA had medial compartment disease only. Knee Society scores, radiographic analysis, and patient preferences were recorded for all patients. Average follow-up was 46 months (range, 7.2-148 months) and 42 months (range, 11.5-59.8 months) for TKA and UKA, respectively. We found little or no difference in outcomes between the 2 procedures, except for an improved range of motion with the UKA compared with the TKA (123 degrees +/-9 degrees vs 119.8 degrees +/-7 degrees, respectively). Knee Society scores improved from 45.9 to 89.7 in UKA and from 42.4 to 90.3 in TKA. Of the 23 patients, 11 expressed no preference between either knee and 12 preferred the unicompartmental knee; no patient preferred the total knee. With appropriate patient selection, UKAs are a successful option for patients with osteoarthritis.

7. Unicompartmental knee replacements with Miller-Galante prosthesis: Two to 16-year follow-up of a single surgeon series.

Int Orthop. 2010 Apr 25. [Epub ahead of print]

John J, Mauffrey C, May P.

Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Derby Hospital, Derby City, UK.

Abstract: We report the outcome of 94 Miller-Galante unicompartmental knee replacements done by a single surgeon over 16 years in a district general hospital in the UK. Patellofemoral arthritis was considered a contraindication only if symptomatic and confirmed on radiography and surgery. Deformity when present was correctable. The mean age at surgery was 66.54 years. The mean follow-up was 10.8 years (2-16 years). The mean Bristol knee score was 43.1 (28-50); 86% of the patients had good or excellent scores. The average range of flexion was 110.6 degrees (80-130 degrees ); 89% of the knees had an appropriate alignment. Using revision as the endpoint, outcome for every knee was established. The survival rate for medial unicompartmental knee replacements was 94% at ten years and 87% at 15 years. Although the survival rate for the lateral unicompartmental knee replacement was 97% at five years, it dropped to 41% at eight years. Lateral unicompartmental knee replacements formed only 9.6% of all the replacements in this series. The results for medial unicompartmental knee replacements are similar to reports by other authors for similar and mobile bearing designs. Unicompartmental knee replacement results in a more kinematic knee and produces good functional results.

8. Outcome of revision of unicompartmental knee replacement.

Acta Orthop. 2010 Feb;81(1):95-8.

Hang JR, Stanford TE, Graves SE, Davidson DC, de Steiger RN, Miller LN.

AOA National Joint Replacement Registry, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia.

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite concerns regarding a higher risk of revision, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) continues to be used as an alternative to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There are, however, limited data on the subsequent outcome when a UKA is revised. We examined the survivorship for primary UKA procedures that have been revised.

METHODS: We used data from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) to analyze the survivorship of 1,948 revisions of primary UKA reported to the Registry between September 1999 and December 2008. This was compared to the results of revisions of primary TKA reported during the same period where both the femoral and tibial components were revised. The Kaplan-Meier method for modeling survivorship was used.

RESULTS: When a primary UKA was revised to another UKA (both major and minor revisions), it had a cumulative per cent revision (CPR) of 28 and 30 at 3 years, respectively. The CPR at 3 years when a UKA was converted to a TKA was 10. This is similar to the 3-year CPR (12) found earlier for primary TKA where both the femoral and tibial components were revised.

INTERPRETATION: When a UKA requires revision, the best outcome is achieved when it is converted to a TKA. This procedure does, however, have a major risk of re-revision, which is similar to the risk of re-revision of a primary TKA that has had both the femoral and tibial components revised.

9. Factors associated with reduced early survival in the Oxford phase III medial unicompartment knee replacement.

Knee. 2010 Jan;17(1):48-52.

Kuipers BM, Kollen BJ, Bots PC, Burger BJ, van Raay JJ, Tulp NJ, Verheyen CC.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, The Netherlands.

Abstract:The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of preoperative patellofemoral osteoarthritis, BMI and age for implant survival of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) performed in patients meeting strict admission criteria. The data and radiographs of 437 unilateral Oxford phase III procedures (Biomet, Bridgend, UK) were analysed. All procedures were carried out or supervised by 13 specialised knee surgeons in three different hospitals. The study group comprised 437 patients with a median follow of 2.6 years (0.1-7.9). The cumulative standard case survival rate at 5 years, when there were still 101 patients at risk, was 84.7% (CI-95%: 80.1-89.3%). Young age (<60 years) was associated with a 2.2-fold increased adjusted risk of revision (CI: 1.08-4.43; p=0.03). The preoperative presence of radiological features of patellofemoral osteoarthritis was associated with a 0.3-fold reduced adjusted risk of revision (CI: 0.11-0.89; p=0.03). BMI>30 kg/m(2), gender, the surgeon performing the operation (either as an individual or categorised by annual surgical UKA caseload, i.e., more or less than 10 UKAs) and the hospital in which surgery took place did not predict implant survival of UKA. We conclude that young patients (<60 years) experience an increased early risk of revision for UKA when compared to older patients (>60 years). Obesity (BMI>30 kg/m(2)) and preoperative patellofemoral osteoarthritis are not associated with a decreased implant survival and therefore should not be considered risk factors in this context.

10. Unicompartmental or total knee replacement: the 15-year results of a prospective randomised controlled trial.

J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2009 Jan;91(1):52-7.

Newman J, Pydisetty RV, Ackroyd C.

Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, UK.

Abstract: Between 1989 and 1992 we had 102 knees suitable for unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). They were randomised to receive either a St Georg Sled UKR or a Kinematic modular total knee replacement (TKR). The early results demonstrated that the UKR group had less complications and more rapid rehabilitation than the TKR group. At five years there were an equal number of failures in the two groups but the UKR group had more excellent results and a greater range of movement. The cases were reviewed by a research nurse at 8, 10 and 12 years after operation. We report the outcome at 15 years follow-up. A total of 43 patients (45 knees) died with their prosthetic knees intact. Throughout the review period the Bristol knee scores of the UKR group have been better and at 15 years 15 (71.4%) of the surviving UKRs and 10 (52.6%) of the surviving TKRs had achieved an excellent score. The 15 years survivorship rate based on revision or failure for any reason was 24 (89.8%) for UKR and 19 (78.7%) for TKR. During the 15 years of the review four UKRs and six TKRs failed. The better early results with UKR are maintained at 15 years with no greater failure rate. The median Bristol knee score of the UKR group was 91.1 at five years and 92 at 15 years, suggesting little functional deterioration in either the prosthesis or the remainder of the joint. These results justify the increased use of UKR.

10. The Oxford medial unicompartmental knee replacement using a minimally-invasive approach.

J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2006 Jan;88(1):54-60.

Pandit H, Jenkins C, Barker K, Dodd CA, Murray DW.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK.

Abstract: This prospective study describes the complications and survival of the first 688 Phase 3 Oxford medial unicompartmental knee replacements implanted using a minimally-invasive technique by two surgeons and followed up independently. None was lost to follow-up. We had carried out 132 of the procedures more than five years ago. The clinical assessment of 101 of these which were available for review at five years is also presented. Nine of the 688 knees were revised: four for infection, three for dislocation of the bearing and two for unexplained pain. A further seven knees (1%) required other procedures: four had a manipulation under anaesthesia, two an arthroscopy and one a debridement for superficial infection. The survival rate at seven years was 97.3% (95% confidence interval 5.3). At five years, 96% of the patients had a good or excellent American Knee Society score, the mean Oxford knee score was 39 and the mean flexion was 133 degrees. This study demonstrates that the minimally-invasive Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement is a reliable and effective procedure.