Predicting unicompartmental arthroplasty success: a three year Indian study

This study evaluated the three year clinical outcomes and predictors of success for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in an Indian population.

Twenty patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis (≥ Ahlbäck grade 2) underwent UKA. American Knee Society Score (AKSS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and Visual Analogue Scale Score (VAS) were assessed at baseline, two weeks, six weeks, three months, and three years. Postoperative Hip Knee Ankle angle (HKA) and the Knee Joint Line Obliquity angle (KJO) were measured.

At three years, UKA led to significant improvements in knee health, function, and pain. AKKS improved from 62.20 ± 5.27 to 90.60 ± 3.81, OKS from 37.00 ± 1.55 to 19.15 ± 1.93, and VAS from 8.45 ± 0.69 to 2.40 ± 0.59 (all P < 0.05). Preoperative VAS was significantly correlated with both preoperative and postoperative outcomes of knee health and function (preoperative and three year AKSS and OKS), and limb alignment (HKA and KJO). Preoperative AKSS correlated with postoperative knee health and functional outcomes (3-year AKSS and OKS), pain levels (3-year VAS), and limb alignment (KJO).

In this study of an Indian population, UKA demonstrated significant, sustained clinical improvements over three years, with no implant-related complications. In our cohort, preoperative pain and knee health significantly predicted outcomes. These findings suggest that preoperative assessment and optimization of both pain and knee health may potentially enhance the postoperative outcomes after UKA.