Results and outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Physical Activity of Young Patients following Minimally Invasive Lateral Unicompartmental Knee Replacement

Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) has increased in popularity in recent years, especially in young patients with high demands on their athletic ability. To date, there are no data available on the physical activity of young patients following lateral UKR. The aim of this study was to demonstrate return-to-activity rate and sporting activity of patients aged 60 years or younger following lateral UKR with a fixed-bearing (FB) prosthesis. Thirty-seven patients aged 60 years or younger after lateral FB-UKR were included. Sporting activities were assessed using the University of California Los Angeles activity scale (UCLA) and the Tegner activity score (TAS). Clinical outcome was measured using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), range of motion (ROM) and visual analogue scale (VAS). The mean follow-up (FU) was 3.1 ± 1.5 years and the mean age at surgery was 52.8 ± 3.1 years. The return-to-activity rate was 87.5% and 49% of patients were highly active postoperatively as defined by an UCLA score of 7 or higher. All clinical parameters increased significantly postoperatively. We demonstrated a high return-to-activity rate with nearly half of the patients achieving high activity levels. Longer FU periods are necessary to evaluate the effect of activity on implant survival.

Sports activity and patient-related outcomes after fixed-bearing lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Unicompartmental osteoarthrosis increasingly affects younger patients who have high expectations concerning their postoperative level of activity. However, there is no available data on the activity level after fixed-bearing lateral unicompartmentalkneearthroplasty (UKA). The aim of this study was to report sports activity after fixed-bearing lateral UKA with a minimum two-year follow up.

METHODS

Nineteen patients were surveyed to determine their sporting activities at a mean follow up of 4.6 years (range 2.0-9.7 years) after fixed-bearing lateral UKA. We also assessed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Joint Replacement (KOOS JR) Score and the University of California, Los Angeles activity scale (UCLA scale) at baseline and latest follow up.

RESULTS

Before the onset of the first symptoms, 15 of 19 patients were active in at least one sport compared with 13 of 19 patients after surgery. Eighty-six per cent of the patients returned to activity. Within 6 months, 68% returned to their activities after surgery. The mean postoperative UCLA score was 6.4 (±1.3). Half of the patients reached a high activity level (UCLA ≥ 7). Most common activities after surgery were long walks, biking and hiking. High-impact activities showed a significant decrease.

CONCLUSION

Eighty-six per cent of the patients were able to return to regular recreational and sporting activities. In general, a shift from high-impact to low-impact activities was observed. There was no difference in the number of disciplines performed. Overall, the session length and frequency remained unchanged. However, male patients and younger patients participated in sports less frequently compared with preoperative levels.

Patient relevant outcomes of unicompartmental versus total knee replacement: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To present a clear and comprehensive summary of the published data on unicompartmental knee replacement (UKA) or total knee replacement (TKA), comparing domains of outcome that have been shown to be important to patients and clinicians to allow informed decision making.

DESIGN

Systematic review using data from randomised controlled trials, nationwide databases or joint registries, and large cohort studies.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), and Clinical Trials.gov, searched between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2018.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Studies published in the past 20 years, comparing outcomes of primary UKA with TKA in adult patients. Studies were excluded if they involved fewer than 50 participants, or if translation into English was not available.

RESULTS

60 eligible studies were separated into three methodological groups: seven publications from six randomised controlled trials, 17 national joint registries and national database studies, and 36 cohort studies. Results for each domain of outcome varied depending on the level of data, and findings were not always significant. Analysis of the three groups of studies showed significantly shorter hospital stays after UKA than after TKA (-1.20 days (95% confidence interval -1.67 to -0.73), -1.43 (-1.53 to -1.33), and -1.73 (-2.30 to -1.16), respectively). There was no significant difference in pain, based on patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), but significantly better functional PROM scores for UKA than for TKA in both non-trial groups (mean difference -0.58 (-0.88 to -0.27) and -0.32 (-0.48 to -0.15), respectively). Regarding major complications, trials and cohort studies had non-significant results, but mortality after TKA was significantly higher in registry and large database studies (risk ratio 0.27 (0.16 to 0.45)), as were venous thromboembolic events (0.39 (0.27 to 0.57)) and major cardiac events (0.22 (0.06 to 0.86)). Early reoperation for any reason was higher after TKA than after UKA, but revision rates at five years remained higher for UKA in all three study groups (risk ratio 5.95 (1.29 to 27.59), 2.50 (1.77 to 3.54), and 3.13 (1.89 to 5.17), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

TKA and UKA are both viable options for the treatment of isolated unicompartmental osteoarthritis. By directly comparing the two treatments, this study demonstrates better results for UKA in several outcome domains. However, the risk of revision surgery was lower for TKA. This information should be available to patients as part of the shared decision making process in choosing treatment options.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO number CRD42018089972.

Characteristics and management of bone and joint tuberculosis in native and migrant population in Shanghai during 2011 to 2015

Background

China had the third highest burden of tuberculosis population in the world. Bone and joint tuberculosis was a major part and its characteristics were rarely discussed before. This study was designed to review the characteristics and management of bone and joint tuberculosis among native and migrant population in Shanghai, China during 2011–2015.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the patient clinical records on their demographic information, clinical features and treatment was conducted from three tertiary referral hospitals. Analysis of continuous variables included calculation of the median value with interquartile range. Categorical variables were displayed as percentages and compared using the Fisher’s exact test and chi-square test. All continuous variables were compared using Student’s unpaired t-test and Mann Whitney U test.

Results

One hundred fifteen patients with bone and joint tuberculosis were involved in this study. Native people were generally older (p = 0.003) and had more comorbidities like hypertension (40.74% vs. 16.39%, p = 0.004), diabetes mellitus (38.89% vs. 13.11%, p = 0.001), and cancer (31.48% vs. 14.75%, p = 0.032) than migrants. Migrant patients generally experienced a longer period of uncomfortable feelings before going to doctor than native people (p = 0.007). Spine was a major infection site in comparison with other peripheral joints. Radiological evaluation displayed increased osteolytic reaction in migrant patients compared with native people (p = 0.031). The mean time for anti-tuberculosis treatment was significantly longer in native Shanghai patients (8.96 months vs. 7.94 months, p = 0.003). The curative ratio displayed a significant difference between native and migrant patients (88.24%vs.75.93%, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Bone and joint tuberculosis exhibited a poorer outcome in migrant people, who also had longer period of manifestation, more severe osteolytic reaction from CT scan and higher recurrent rate than native people. The surgical treatment in addition to anti-tuberculosis drug therapy had great implications for bone and joint tuberculosis recovery.

Medial vs lateral unicompartmental knee arthrroplasty: clinical results

Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) is a common procedure for the management of isolated osteoarthritis. UKA is considered less invasive compared to total knee arthroplasty, associated with less operative time, blood loss and faster recovery. Isolated lateral osteoarthritis is a relatively uncommon clinical problem, with an incidence about ten times lower than the medial compartment. In fact, lateral UKA are about 5-10% of the total amount of the UKAs. In addition, it's historically considered more challenging and with poorer results. The aim of this paper was to compare current indications, modes of failure, survivorship and clinical results of medial and lateral UKA by a narrative review of the latest literature.

Return to sports, recreational activity and patient-reported outcomes after lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

As the indication for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in recent years has been extended to young and more active patients, the expectations concerning the postoperative level of activity are high. The aim of the following study was to survey the activity level and the health-related quality of life of patients following lateral UKA.

METHODS

Forty-five patients were surveyed to determine their sporting and recreational activities at a mean follow-up of 3 years (range 2.0-4.3 years) after lateral UKA. We also assessed health-related quality of life of our patients at the time of the survey by use of the SF-36 Health Survey.

RESULTS

Before the onset of the first restricting symptoms, 42 of 45 (93 %) patients were active in at least one sport compared to 43 of 45 (96 %) patients after surgery resulting in a return to activity rate of 98 %. Within 3 months, 56 % returned to their activities after surgery and 78 % within 6 months. The mean postoperative UCLA score was 6.7 (±1.5). Two-thirds of the patients reached a high activity level (UCLA ≥7). Most common activities after surgery were biking, hiking and long walks. While high-impact activities showed a significant decrease, low-impact activities showed a significant increase. The main reason for a decrease in patients' level of activity was precaution. There are no statistically significant differences in the postoperative scores of our patients and those of a matched healthy reference population in the SF-36 scores.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study demonstrate that a vast majority (98 %) of our patients independent to age or gender returned to sports and recreational activity after lateral UKA. Two-thirds of the patients reached a high activity level. Activities patients were most participating in were low- or mid-impact, whereas high-impact activities were mostly given up. Further follow-up is necessary to assess the effect of activity on implant fixation and wear.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective case series, Level IV.