Lower Limb Position in Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of tibial cutting between in dangling position and standing position of the lower limb for Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2001 to September 2003, While performing Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, we cut tibial plateau with lower extremity in dangling position and standing position alternately. Group 1 consisted of 12 cases underwent tibial cutting in dangling position. Group 2 consisted of 12 cases underwent tibial cutting in standing position. Clinical assessments consisted of radiologic evaluation and HSS knee score. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in limb alignments and HSS knee scores between group 1 and group 2 at one year postoperatively. In anteroposterior radiographs, the mean alignment of tibial component of group 1 was measured 4.07+/-5.7 degrees varus to the tibial axis and that of group 2 was measured 2.34+/-2.4 degrees varus to the tibial axis(P=0.35). CONCLUSION: In Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, tibial cutting in standing position showed a tendency to cut tibia more perpendicular to the tibial axis. But it was statistically not significant.