A prospective randomized study of bicompartmental vs. total knee arthroplasty with functional testing and short term outcome.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare 50 bicompartmental knee arthroplasty (BKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) cases, particularly in restoring knee function. Patients were between 30 and 65 years old, with a BMI under 35, and had osteoarthritis in the medial and patellofemoral compartments. Knee Society scores, Oxford questionnaires, radiographs, and functional tests were performed preoperatively, and at 1, 4, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Functional testing included gait analysis, stair climbing, lunging, and sit-to-stand analysis. Both groups achieved equivalent Knee Society scores (2 year mean 93.6 vs. 92.6, P=0.43) and Oxford scores (2-year mean 43 vs. 41, P=0.35). Functional testing showed significant improvement. Two years postoperatively the BKA and TKA groups achieved equivalent results in clinical scores and functional testing.