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Lateral UKA can be a safe solution in a young patients’ population: a 10-year follow-up report

  • Knee Arthroplasty
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to assess the long-term survivorship and functional outcomes of fixed-bearing lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in a young patients’ population with osteoarthritis limited to the lateral compartment.

Methods

The study included a cohort of consecutive patients who underwent lateral UKA between January 2008 and December 2014 at a single high-volume surgical center. The surgical procedures were performed by experienced surgeons using a lateral parapatellar approach and fixed-bearing implants. Patient follow-up included a retrospective re-evaluation, clinical assessments, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and X-ray analysis.

Results

A total of 40 lateral UKAs were analyzed, with 19 performed on the left and 21 on the right knee. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 57.6 years, and the mean BMI was 24.8. At the final follow-up, 80% of patients achieved excellent outcomes (OKS > 41), and 20% had good outcomes (OKS: 34–41). No patients exhibited fair or poor outcomes. The mean FJS at the final follow-up was 82.8. The mean WOMAC was 10.5. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed a survivorship rate of 93.1% at 10 years, considering revision for any reason as endpoint.

Conclusions

Lateral UKA proved to be an effective treatment option for osteoarthritis affecting the lateral compartment of the knee. The study demonstrated a high survivorship rate and favorable functional outcomes at a mean follow-up of 132.7 months. These findings highlight the potential benefits of fixed-bearing lateral UKA in selected patients with lateral compartment knee pathology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sezione di Chirurgia Protesica ad Indirizzo Robotico, Unità di Traumatologia dello Sport, UOC Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Via Bissolati, 57, 25124, Brescia, Italy

    Rudy Sangaletti, Luca Andriollo, Alice Montagna, Lorenzo Are, Francesco Benazzo & Stefano Marco Paolo Rossi

  2. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy

    Luca Andriollo & Lorenzo Are

  3. Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy

    Alice Montagna

  4. IUSS Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Francesco Benazzo

Authors
  1. Rudy Sangaletti
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  2. Luca Andriollo
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  3. Alice Montagna
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  4. Lorenzo Are
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  5. Francesco Benazzo
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  6. Stefano Marco Paolo Rossi
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Contributions

SMPR and RS designed and were responsible for the study; LA, AM and RS contributed to write the manuscript and finalize the statistical section; LA and LA were responsible for the clinical follow-up of the patients; SMPR and FB revised the manuscript. The study was approved by the local ethical committee with IRB Approval No. 2015001968.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefano Marco Paolo Rossi.

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Conflict of interest

FB declares a teaching contract with the manufacturer (Zimmer Biomet and Limacorporate). No conflict of interest to be declared by any of the authors for the current study. FB is Consultant for Zimmer Biomet and Limacorporate; Grants from Limacorporate; Royalties from Zimmer Biomet and Limacorporate. The other authors have no disclosures.

Ethical approval

This study obtained IRB Approval (No. 2015001968) and written consent was obtained from all patients.

Informed consent

Written consent was obtained from all patients.

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Sangaletti, R., Andriollo, L., Montagna, A. et al. Lateral UKA can be a safe solution in a young patients’ population: a 10-year follow-up report. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-023-05189-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-023-05189-y

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