Bi-unicompartmental versus total knee arthroplasty: long term results

Abstract

Objectives. The hypothesis of the current study is that Bi-Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (Bi-Uni) could have long term outcomes equivalent to totl knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods. A total of 19 patients treated from January 1999 to March 2003 with the simultaneous implantation of 2 Unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKA) were matched with 18 patients who had undergone a computer-assisted TKA for bicompartmental tibio-femoral osteoarthritis of the knee between August 1999 and September 2002.Results. At the last follow-up no statistical significant differences were seen for KSS, Function score and WOMAC Arthritis Index (pain score), while statistical differences were reported for the function (p<0.05) and stiffness (p<0.01) WOMAC indexes, respectively, in favor of the Bi-Uni group.Conclusion. The results of this study indicate that Bi-Uni is a valid alternative to address medial and lateral tibio-femoral osteoarthritis of the knee in selected cases at least as well as TKA