Comparative Study for the Results of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in Patients Younger and Older than 60 Years of Age

Abstract

Purpose: We wanted to assess the relations between age and the outcome of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) based on a comparative study of UKA patients younger than 60 years and UKA patients older than 60 years of age. Materials and Methods: Among the patients who underwent a UKA between January 2002 and June 2003, 230 cases (the group of patients with ages under sixty consisted of 89 knees - group I, and the group of patients with ages over sixty consisted of 141 knees - group II) were followed up for at least 5 years after the operation. Clinical assessments were made usi ng the Knee Society Score (KSS) rating system. Results: The average KSS knee and function scores improved from 54.2 and 57.1 preoperatively to 87.3 and 85.2 at the last follow-up in group I, and from 54.7 and 54.3 to 89.5 and 81.7 in group II, respectively. The mean range of knee motion also improved from 129.4 o to 132.9 o in group I and from 126.8 o to 133.2 o in group II, respectively. There were 5 cases of failed UKAs in each group, and the survival rate of the implant at 5 years was 94.7% in group I and 96.6% in group II. Conclusion: The clinical results of UKA were satisfactory in both age groups. Group I had better results on the knee function score at the last follow-up, but there was no significant difference between both age groups. UKA can be a one of the reliable methods for the treatment of osteoarthritis in patients younger than 60 years of age.