The Effect of Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis on Fixed Bearing Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare short term clinical and functional outcomes of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with and without radiographic evidence of patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Methods: Patients at 40-80 years of age, who had medial compartmental arthritis between 2011 and 2013, underwent medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty regardless of having patellofemoral arthritis and complied with postoperative rehabilitation, were included in the study. Patients’ range of motion measurement, anterior knee pain, “Knee Society” Knee Arthroplasty Assessment Form (KSS) Score, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Score and Oxford knee score were applied during preoperative period and at the final postoperative control. Duration of “Standing On One Foot Test”, passive joint position sense at 30° and 75° and active joint position sense at an angular velocity of 1°/s and isokinetic muscle strength test at concentric/concentric mode at an angular velocity of 120°/sec were measured at the final postoperative control. Results: As follow-up data of 45 out of 109 patients could not be obtained, the study was concluded with 64 patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of demographical data and duration of postoperative follow-up (p˃0.05). During postoperative follow-ups of the patients who underwent UKA, the surgery was determined to provide successful outcomes. No effect of whether patients had early or advanced stage patellofemoral arthritis in patients was determined. Conclusion: Radiological stage of patellofemoral arthritis does not influence short-term functional data of UKA. It may be considered that patellofemoral arthritis does not pose any contraindication for UKA.