Early complications after minimally invasive mobile-bearing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the early complications of minimally invasive mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty by analyzing the first 100 consecutive cases. All cases were medial unicompartmental arthroplasties with a follow-up of at least 24 months (range, 24-51 months). Seven revision procedures were performed due to 2 fractures of the medial tibial plateau, 1 loosening of the femoral component, and 4 dislocations of the meniscal bearing. The early results as determined by The Knee Society scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and postoperative range of motion were satisfactory. However, there exists a high rate of early failures, which occurred during the initial learning curve. Therefore, surgeons must be aware that in order to minimize these complications, attention to detail is mandatory.