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. 2023 Feb 15:37:41-45.
doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2023.02.005. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Can single-stage bilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty be safely performed in patients over 70?

Kadee-Kalia Tamashiro  1 , Landon Morikawa  1   2 , Samantha Andrews  2   3 , Cass K Nakasone  2   3
Affiliations

Can single-stage bilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty be safely performed in patients over 70?

Kadee-Kalia Tamashiro et al. J Orthop. .

Abstract

Background: For patients with bilateral, symptomatic unicompartmental knee arthritis, single-stage bilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (ssBUKA) presents an attractive option. However, most studies have examined younger patient cohorts and the safety of ssBUKA remains controversial for older individuals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare complication rates following ssBUKA for patients ≤70 and > 70 years old.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 238 patients having undergone ssBUKA was performed, including 134 patients ≤70 and 104 patients >70. Post-operative complications were recorded at the six-week post-operative visit, along with emergency room visits and hospital readmissions within 90 days.

Results: Compared to patients ≤70, patients >70 were more frequently female (43.3% and 55.8%, respectively) (p = 0.037) and had significantly lower body mass index (30.41 ± 4.64 and 27.30 ± 3.68, respectively) (p < 0.001). Patients >70 were discharged home (50%) less commonly than patients ≤70 (73.1%) (p < 0.001). Two patients ≤70 (1.5%) and two patients >70 (1.9%) sought emergency room treatment (p = 0.589), with respiratory complications most common. There were no differences regarding any postoperative complications between patients ≤70 and > 70 years old.

Conclusion: These results suggest that patients >70 can safely undergo ssBUKA, as it does not appear to increase the incidence of early post-operative complications compared to patients ≤70. However, 50% of patients >70 were not able to discharge directly home following surgery.

Keywords: Complications; Elderly; Safety; Single-stage bilateral; Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pre-operative radiographs revealing left knee, anteromedial osteoarthritis – A) Anteroposterior View; B) Lateral View.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Post-operative radiographs following left unicompartmental arthroplasty – A) Anteroposterior View; B) Lateral View.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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