Custom unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Minimal invasive surgical techniques have led to renewed interest in unicompartmental arthroplasty (UKA), and various new technologies have been introduced to further improve surgical techniques and patient outcomes. Computer tomogram (CT)-derived implants and instruments address the shortcomings of off-the-shelf (OTS) implants: incomplete bone coverage, nonanatomic match of both femoral and tibial surfaces, and symmetric implants for asymmetric surfaces. Furthermore, custom bi-compartmental arthroplasty (BKA) allow the reconstruction of both the tibio-femoral and the femoral-patellar joint for the medial and lateral side. Custom UKA and BKA offer a bone-sparing resurfacing alternative in combination with the preservation of both cruciate ligaments and solve the short-comings of OTS implants.