World J Orthop. Apr 18, 2013; 4(2): 58-61 Published online Apr 18, 2013. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v4.i2.58
Unicompartmental knee prosthetization: Which key-points to consider?
Andrea Emilio Salvi, Anthony Vatroslav Florschutz
Andrea Emilio Salvi, Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Mellino Mellini Hospital Trust, Civil Hospital of Iseo, 25124 Brescia, Italy
Anthony Vatroslav Florschutz, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, United States
Author contributions: Salvi AE wrote the article; Florschutz AV gave additional informations according to his experience in prosthetic fields; both the authors reviewed the final version of the article.
Correspondence to: Andrea Emilio Salvi, MD, Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Mellino Mellini Hospital Trust, Civil Hospital of Iseo, Via Cipro 30, 25124 Brescia, Italy. andreasalvi@bresciaonline.it
Telephone: +39-347-4485570 Fax: +39-30-220652
Received: August 30, 2012 Revised: December 6, 2012 Accepted: January 29, 2013 Published online: April 18, 2013 Processing time: 235 Days and 7.6 Hours
Abstract
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has evolved into a suitable option for diseased knees that cannot be managed with arthroscopic treatment and at the same time are not good candidates for total knee replacement. Since meticulous execution of the surgical technique is essential to optimizing UKA outcome, some procedural key-points are mandatory. Templates (phantoms) are then used to size the required prosthetic component (using these radiographs. Arthritic varus (or valgus) knees with an asymptomatic patello-femoral joint are typically ideal for UKA. Metal-backed tibial components should be favourite instead of all-polyethylene tibial components to avoid polyethylene creep that may occur in fixed bearings. Moreover, a proper thickness of the polyethylene layer is mandatory, in order to avoid early failure.
