Oxford partial knee replacement: Early follow up results in young verses elderly age group patients

Abstract

BackgroundAge related knee arthritis usually begins with early medial compartment changes in majority of cases. Later on, lateral and patellofemoral compartment involvement occurs. Oxford unicondylar knee replacement is preferable in patients with isolated anteromedial knee arthritis. MethodsThe study involves retrospective review of 112 cases performed over a period of two years at a tertiary care center. It includes comparative analysis of operative and functional results of Oxford unicondylar knee arthroplasty in young (age<60 years) verses elderly (age.>60 years) age group patients. Preoperative radiographic assessment involves full length hip to knee radiographs taken in standing position before surgery and at one year follow up. Special views assessment was done, includes valgus and varus stress views and merchant views. ResultsAnalysis shows no significant difference between the two groups for BMI, blood loss, duration of surgery and post-surgery correction in mechanical axis. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) was observed in parameters like average duration of hospital stay, rate of complications seen and duration of rehabilitation period. ConclusionOxford unicondylar knee replacement is associated with relatively less morbidity, better early rehabilitation and improvement of knee score in late period. Age not appears to be a contraindication for oxford unicondylar knee arthroplasty. However several key outcome parameters like speed of recovery, return to work, revision rate, complications, mortality rate, and functional outcomes must be discussed with patient before surgery.