Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty used for advanced spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee

Feng En-hui; Mai Xiu-jun; Huang Yong-ming; Cao Zhen-wu; Chen Kang-yao; Su Hai-tao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2017.35.001

Abstract：BACKGROUND: Unicompartment knee replacement is more popular for small trauma, rapid recovery, low less complications and almost normal knee mechanics, and has been used to repair unicompartmental knee diseases. At abroad, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for advanced spontaneous osteonecrosis of knee (SONK) has obtained satisfactory outcomes, but its long-term efficacy and safety are not known in China. OBJECTIVE: To explore the short-term effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for advanced SONK. METHODS: Clinical data of 12 SONK patients (12 knees) admitted between January and August 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty was operated by the same surgical team using the 3rdgeneration of Oxford?Unicompartmental Knee. The Visual Analogue Scale, femorotibial angle, range of motion of the knee and Hospital for Special Surgery scores were used to evaluate the curative efficacy at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up for 12-18 months. The incision in all patients achieved primary union, and no infection, lower limb venous thrombosis or fracture occurred. (2) At the end of follow-up, the Visual Analogue Scale scores were significantly reduced from preoperative (6.67±0.78) to (1.75±0.97); the Hospital for Special Surgery scores were significantly increased from preoperative (63.92±7.27) to (91.67±2.87); the femorotibial angle changed from preoperative (178.28±3.38)° to (176.82±2.37)°(All P < 0.05). But the range of motion of the knee joint did not differ significantly before and after surgery. (3) That is to say, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty obtains satisfactory short-term efficacy in the treatment of advanced SONK.