Treatment of single compartment osteoarthritis of the knee using modular arthroplasty: a review of the literature and presentation of 29 cases.
Twenty-nine knees with degenerative arthritis, generally confined to a single weightbearing compartment, were treated by modular arthroplasty. A mean followup of 20 months at formal evaluation and 30 months at time of reporting revealed satisfactory results in 89%. Anticipated complications of loosening, deterioration of the opposite compartment or patella, progressive lucent lines by x-ray, particle arthritis, or instability have been rare. Loss of knee stability or infection, requiring bracing or arthrodesis, has not occurred. One case of thrombophlebitis occurred and responded to anticoagulant treatment. We have revised two knees, both successfully. Technical problems of high tibial osteotomy are reviewed and compared to reported results with uni-arthroplasty in an effort to balance the generally negative attitude held by many surgeons concerning modular replacement of a single compartment of the knee.
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