Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for lateral gonarthrosis

Thirty-eight lateral compartment arthroplasties were performed in 22 years. Eighteen joints in 17 patients with an average age of 64.5 years were evaluated with minimum 5-year follow-up. Using the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score, 16 of 18 joints had satisfactory results in terms of function and pain relief. The average preoperative alignment on standing was 14.9° of valgus angulation, which was corrected to 6.9° of valgus. On radiographic analysis, no radiolucent lines were seen under the tibial component, but the femoral component was loose in 1 joint. Although 5 joints showed slight deterioration of osteoarthritic change in the medial compartment, lateral compartment arthroplasty is a reliable and successful option in the treatment of patients with a low level of physical activity.