UNICOMPARTMENTAL ARTHROPLASTY - A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

Seventy-three consecutive unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKAs) using a Marmor-style non-metal-backed cemented tibial component were p erformed from 1975 to 1990. Sixty-seven knees (58 patients) were evalu ated with minimum 5-year follow-up (mean, 9.7 years; range, 5-20 years ). Knee rating and patient function were assessed using the updated Kn ee Society scoring system. Survivorship was 91% at 5 years, 84% at 10 years, and 79% at 15 years. The mean knee rating for surviving implant s was 91 (range, 48-100), and mean functional score was 77 (range, 5-1 00). Survivorship and functional outcome were not affected by body hab itus, age, gender, or tibial component thickness. UKA offers long-term relief of symptoms and excellent knee function in a high percentage o f carefully selected patients with single compartment gonarthrosis.