Osteoarthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Osteoarthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

The Oxford phase III unicompartmental knee replacement in patients less than 60 years of age.

Kort NP, van Raay JJ, van Horn JJ

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Maasland Hospital, P.O. Box 5500, 6130 MB, Sittard, The Netherlands. n.kort@orbisconcern.nl

Treatment of younger patients with medial unicompartmental disease of the knee joint remains a challenging therapeutic dilemma. With the refinement of implant design, fixation and the minimally invasive techniques employed with unicompartmental knee replacement, indications have expanded to include its use in young patients. A prospective cohort of 46 unicompartmental knee procedures were performed with a 2-year minimum and 6-year maximum follow-up, using the Oxford phase III unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, in the younger patient group (age 60 or younger). We conclude that the unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is an important option for the treatment of medial compartment disease for patients 60 years or younger. Obesity can cause technical difficulties, increased risk of complications and early failure of this prosthesis.

Published 3 April 2007 in Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc, 15(4): 356-60.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Osteoarthritis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.