Excellent survival and outcomes with fixed-bearing medial UKA in young patients (≤ 60 years) at minimum 10-year follow-up

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate whether long-term (10-year minimum) patient outcomes and survival of fixed-bearing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in patients aged ≤ 60 years were favorable despite non-conventional age criteria.

Methods: The authors reviewed the records of 91 consecutive medial UKAs performed in patients aged ≤ 60 by a single surgeon. All patients received the same fixed-bearing M/G Unicompartmental Knee System. Patients records were updated, noting complications or revisions, and Oxford Knee Scores and overall satisfaction collected. If deceased, the general practitioner or next of kin provided data.

Results: Of the initial 91 knees, 10 were revised, 6 were deceased, and 1 was lost to follow-up. The final cohort of 74 knees was aged 54.3 ± 4.3 years (range 41.8-60.6) at index surgery. Using revision of any component as endpoint, the present series had a KM survival of 92.9% (CI 84.8-96.7%) at 10 years, and 87.8% (CI 78.4-93.2%) at 15 years, and a single non-fatal DVT was reported. At final follow-up of 15 ± 1.3 years (range 11-18), OKS (available for all 74 knees) was 38.4 ± 8.4 (range 18-48). Overall patients were pleased or very pleased with 72 of the knees (97%).

Conclusion: Fixed-bearing medial UKA yields favorable results in the treatment of single compartment osteoarthritis of the knee in patients ≤ 60 years. The present study demonstrates low complication rates, good-to-excellent long-term patient outcomes, and satisfactory implant survival for this age group considering the advantages of UKA.

Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective cohort study.

Keywords: Age; Functional outcomes; Implant survival; Survivorship; UKA; Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty; Unicondylar.