Patient-specific unicondylar knee arthroplasty

Abstract

The purpose of the unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is to correct deformity, restore stability, and relieve pain. Precise patient selection is crucial to the success of the operation. In order for the UKA to be beneficial postoperatively, the patient should have unicompartmental tree disease and mild, if any, deformities of the ice preoperatively. The patient should also not have inflammatory arthritis of instability. Proper operative technique is also imperative for postoperative results. Correct alignment and minimal bone resection are critical for the outcome of the surgery. Some of the major complications with UKAs are osteoarthritis disease progression, too much bone out, malalignment, and tibial fractures. Patient-specific instrumentation is advantageous for the UKA because it provides a guide specific for that patient’s anatomy. The guide has been shown to improve accuracy and reliability of implant positioning and thus increase survivorship while minimizing complications.