OBJECTIVE:To report the evolution with medial unicompartmental arthrosis of the knee submitted to Repicci II unicompartmental arthroplasty in order to evaluate the validity of the procedure. METHODS: 36 patients with unicompartmental arthrosis of the knee were included in the study, six of them with bilateral involvement, in a total of 42 knees. Age ranged from 54 to 82, with a mean of 67 years. Thirty-two patients were female, and 10 male. Clinical section criteria were: patients had to be older than 50, with light/moderate level activity, joint amplitude of at least 90º of flexion and -10º of extension, varus deformity of less than or equal to 5º, no anterior ligament instability, and pain restricted to the medial compartment. Radiographic selection criteria were: arthrosis confined to the medial compartment, with none or minimal patellofemoral arthrosis. The Ahlbäck classification was used to quantify the degree of extension of the arthrosis, surgery being indicated for grades II, III, and IV. The Knee International Society scale was used to follow results. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 36 months. There were no cases of post-operative infection, deep venous thrombosis, or embolism. Two patients developed major pain with no improvement in the follow-up, and a revision with total knee prosthesis was required. No cases of aseptic loosening or early polyethylene wear were seen. The mean pre-operative score was 45 for the knee and 57 for the overall function of the patient. The post-operative score was 76 and 90, respectively. CONCLUSION: Repicci II unicompartmental arthroplasty is a good option of the treatment of medial unicompartmental arthrosis of the knee, and it achieves consistent results leading to high patient satisfaction provided that an improved surgical technique, the right choice of implants, and a strict selection of patients are observed.
Knee joint; Arthroplasty; replacement; knee; Evaluation of results of therapeutic interventions
