[Unicompartment knee arthroplasty with an Oxford prosthesis].
BACKGROUND
Unicompartmental knee replacement is a procedure increasingly used in patients with osteoarthritis of the medial knee compartment. The purpose of this study is to report the short- and long-term clinical outcomes of patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with the "Oxford" prosthesis.


METHODS
This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study of 24 medial unicompartmental arthroplasties performed in 22 patients. Two cases were bilateral due to medial compartment arthrosis caused by genu varum with X-ray evidence of total loss of the medial joint space in the standing X-ray evidence of total loss of the medial joint space in the standing X-rays in ages 55 t0 74 years. Fifteen females and 7 males were included. Ligament integrity was proven clinically and radiologically. A cemented Oxford prosthetic design was used (Biomet) with a minimally invasive medial approach.


RESULTS
A clinical and radiological evaluation of all patients was performed in the immediate postoperative period, at 2 and 4 weeks and every 3 months thereafter. Pain, knee range of motion and gait autonomy were evaluated for a three-year period in the first 7 patients, and eight months in the last one. In 21 patients (95.4%) pain subsided completely and one has intermittent pain in the medial aspect of the operated knee; the flexion range achieved was 90 degrees to 100 degrees in 13 patients (59%) and 8 patients achieved more than 110 degrees. Independent gait occurred at day 7 in 21 patients (95.4%); no complications were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Unicompartmental arthroplasty with the "Oxford" implant provides full pain relief in well selected patients. It is a reliable procedure with excellent functional outcomes, low morbidity, short hospital stay and rapid recovery.
Palacios Blancarte
Francisco
F
Hospital Velmar y Hospital Cardiomed, Ensenada, Baja California. drfpb@hotmail.com
Montes Samaniego
Felipe
F
D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design