The Influence of Symtomless Degenerative Changes of the Patellofemoral Joint on Clinical Results of Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of degenerative changes in the patellofemoral joint on the clinical results of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January and December 2002, we operated on 180 cases of minimally invasive UKA using the Oxford(R) phase 3. Of the 180 cases, 156 were followed up for a minimum period of 5 years. Based on intraoperative degenerative findings of the patellofemoral joint, we classified cases into 4 groups (Group I-78 cases, Group II-40 cases, Group III-27 cases, Group IV-11 cases), and the clinical data were analyzed prospectively. RESULTS: During follow-up, which averaged 6 years and 2 months, the knee score, the knee function score, the range of knee motion and the tibiofemoral angle were improved significantly (p0.05). To date, no complication or failure involving the patellofemoral joint has been observed. CONCLUSION: Clinical results of UKA are satisfactory for all groups, and the severity of patellofemoral degeneration has no influence on clinical outcome. Symptomless degenerative arthritis of the patellofemoral joint is not a contraindication for medial UKA.