Reduced invasive approach for Oxford II medial unicompartmental knee replacement - a preliminary study

Nineteen patients (20 knees) who underwent consecutive Oxford Phase II unicompartmental arthroplasty for anteromedial osteo-arthritis were prospectively evaluated to determine whether performing the operation with a reduced exposure improved their functional recovery as compared to the traditional midline skin incision and lateral dislocation of the patella. Alternative knees underwent either approach. In 10 knees, a reduced medial arthrotomy incision was used without dislocations of the patella. In the other 10, a standard paramedial arthrotomy incision was employed with dislocation and eversion of the patella. In the former group post-operative recovery of straight leg raising, flexion to 90 degrees and ability to climb stairs was achieved approximately 3 days earlier than in the second group. No complications occurred and, 3 months after surgery, the two groups had achieved similar recovery. There was no radiological evidence of impaired cementation or orientation of the prostheses implanted through the smaller incision. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.