Physiotherapy management of minimally invasive Oxford medial compartment knee arthroplasty: an observational study of 100 patients following an accelerated treatment protocol

To describe an accelerated protocol for early discharge of patients undergoing Oxford medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using a minimally invasive approach. Prospective observational study. Specialist orthopaedic National Health Service hospital. One hundred consecutive patients (40 female, 60 male) undergoing Oxford medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with an average age of 64 (range 44–80) years. Oxford knee score, American Knee Society score (objective and functional) and the ability to perform functional tasks were recorded pre-operatively and 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. Success was taken as an improvement in these scores or as an increased ability to perform functional tasks. Satisfactory results were attained after accelerated discharge, with the mean objective American Knee Society score increasing from 41/100 (95% confidence interval 38.0–44.5) pre-operatively to 87/100 (95% confidence interval 83.1–90.3) at 1 year, and the Oxford knee score increasing from 24/48 (95% confidence interval 21.9–25.2) to 41/48 (95% confidence interval 39.6–42.8) over the same period. All monitored functional activities improved. The mean values before surgery and 6 weeks and 1 year after surgery are presented. Outcome following minimally invasive Oxford medial unicompartmental knee replacement is not compromised with the use of an accelerated treatment protocol.