Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) is a surgical technique that has been utilized for more than 20 years. It entails replacing one side of the knee with a synthetic joint. While both surgeons at the Cape Joint Surgery are superspecialist knee replacement surgeons and have extensive experience with UKR, we are well aware that the indications for these procedures are limited.
This technique is only suitable in selected patients where the knee joint has exclusively worn on one side of the joint. It is not a suitable technique for patients with inflammatory knee arthritis (Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout etc.), knee deformities and patients with knee ligament instability or excessive body-mass index are known to fare poorly with UKR.
To determine whether a patient is a suitable candidate for a unicompartmental knee replacement, consultation, examination and special alignmennt radiographs will be required.
If a patient with significant knee arthritis does not meet the criteriae for UKR and medical treatment has been optimised, there are other surgical procedures which may be considered. A realignment osteotomy may be another option. This procedure, similar to UKR may only be successfully performed in selected patients who meet certain criteriae. In most of these cases, a total knee replacement is the tried and tested procedure with the least amount of potential complications and consistently good outcomes.
