Objective To compare the early analgesic effects and the impact on knee joint function recovery after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) between single adductor canal block (SACB) and continuous adductor canal block (CACB) combined with local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) using a prospective study. Methods The patients with knee osteoarthritis admitted between April 2022 and December 2023 were enrolled as a subject. Among them, 60 patients met the selection criteria and were enrolled in the study. They were randomly assigned to the SACB group or CACB group in a ratio of 1:1 using a random number table method. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) in terms of age, gender, height, body mass, body mass index, affected side, and preoperative resting visual analogue scale (VAS) score and active VAS score, Oxford knee score (OKS), and American Hospital of Special Surgery (HSS) score. All patients received multimodal analgesia management using LIA combined with SACB or CACB. The operation time, pain related indicators (resting and activity VAS scores, number and timing of breakthrough pain, opioid consumption), joint function related indicators (quadriceps muscle strength, knee range of motion, OKS score, and HSS score), as well as postoperative block complications and adverse events were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in the operation time between the two groups (P<0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up with a follow-up time of (9.70±4.93) months in the SACB group and (12.23±5.05) months in the CACB group, and the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The CACB group had a significant lower resting VAS score at 24 hours after operation compared to the SACB group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in resting and active VAS scores between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05). The CACB group had a significantly lower incidence of breakthrough pain compared to the SACB group [9 cases (30.00%) vs. 17 cases (56.67%); P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the timing of breakthrough pain occurrence and opioid consumption between the two groups (P>0.05). Four cases in the SACB group and 7 cases in the CACB group experienced adverse events, with no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P>0.05). The CACB group had significantly better knee joint mobility than the SACB group at 1 and 2 days after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in knee joint mobility on 0 day after operation and quadriceps muscle strength and OKS and HSS scores at different time points (P>0.05). Conclusion In UKA, the analgesic effects and knee joint function recovery are similar when compared between LIA combined with SACB and LIA combined with CACB. However, SACB is simpler to perform and can avoid adverse events such as catheter displacement and dislocation. Therefore, SACB may be a better choice.
ObjectiveA prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to investigate the early postoperative analgesic effectiveness of using liposomal bupivacaine (LB) for local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods Between January 2024 and July 2024, a total of 80 patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) who met the selection criteria were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to either the LB group or the “cocktail” group in a 1∶1 ratio using a random number table, with 40 patients in each group. Baseline characteristics, including gender, age, body mass index, operated side, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, and knee joint range of motion, showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Both groups received LIA and comprehensive pain management. The surgical duration, incision length, pain-related indicators [resting and activity visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, total dosage of oral morphine, WOMAC scores], knee joint range of motion, first ambulation time after operation, length of hospital stay, and postoperative adverse events. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups in surgical duration, incision length, first ambulation time after operation, length of hospital stay, total dosage of oral morphine, and pre-discharge satisfaction with surgery and WOMAC scores (P>0.05). At 4, 12, and 24 hours after operation, the resting and activity VAS scores in the “cocktail” group were lower than those in the LB group; at 60 and 72 hours postoperatively, the resting VAS scores in the LB group were lower than those in the “cocktail” group, with the activity VAS scores also being lower at 60 hours; all showing significant differences (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05). On the second postoperative day, the sleep scores of the LB group were significantly higher than those of the “cocktail” group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in sleep scores on the day of surgery and the first postoperative day (P>0.05). Additionally, the incidence of complications showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe use of LB for LIA in UKA can provide prolonged postoperative pain relief; however, it does not demonstrate a significant advantage over the “cocktail” method in terms of short-term analgesic effects or reducing opioid consumption and early functional recovery after UKA. Nevertheless, LB may help reduce postoperative sleep disturbances, making it a recommended option for UKA patients with cardiovascular diseases and insomnia or other mental health issues.
Objective To analyze the accuracy of prosthesis size selection in Naton robot-assisted medial unicondyle knee arthroplasty by comparing the actual prosthesis size used during operation and the preoperative planning. Methods The clinical data of 100 patients (110 knees) who underwent Naton robot-assisted medial unicondylar knee arthroplasty between June 2023 and July 2024 was retrospectively analyzed, including 47 knees on left side and 63 knees on right side. There were 37 males (40 knees) and 63 females (70 knees) with a mean age of 65.4 years (range, 59-71 years). Body mass index was 22.2-28.6 kg/m2 (mean, 25.4 kg/m2). The disease duration ranged from 1 to 8 years (mean, 3.4 years). Preoperative planning was performed by Naton robotic surgical system based on lower limb CT data. The final prosthesis size after osteotomy was recorded and compared with the preoperative plan to analyse whether it was consistent with the preoperative plan, as well as the situation of knee flexion and extension gaps (<0.5 mm, >2.0 mm) corresponding to the different models of prostheses. ResultsDuring operation, 5 patients (5 knees) were treated with traditional UKA due to mechanical arm failure, software obstacles, significant bone amputation bias, or loose reference frame, and were excluded from the final analysis. The remaining 95 patients (105 knees) successfully received Naton robot-assisted surgery, and no related complications occurred. The prosthesis size was consistent with the preoperative plan in 101 knees (96.2%) on the femur side, 100 knees (95.2%) on the tibia side, and 97 knees (92.4%) on both femur and tibia sides. The prosthesis size was inconsistent in 3 cases (2.86%) on the femur side alone, 4 cases (3.81%) on the tibial side alone, and 1 case (0.95%) on both femur and tibial sides. Among the prostheses with different models, the flexion and extension gaps were less than 0.5 mm in 3 knees, the flexion gap was less than 0.5 mm and the extension gap was more than 2.0 mm in 3 knees, and the flexion gap was more than 2.0 mm and the extension gap was less than 0.5 mm in 2 knees. Conclusion The accuracy of prosthesis size selection for Naton robot-assisted medial unicondylar knee arthroplasty is relatively high.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. MethodsBetween January 2008 and October 2013, 18 patients with medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee were treated by UKA, including 11 males and 7 females with an average age of 67.2 years (range, 60-72 years). The disease duration ranged from 3 to 5 years (mean, 3.7 years). All patients had loading pain and walk-associated pain of the medial compartmental knee. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.8±1.4. The full-length radiograph of lower limb and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the knee showed medial compartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. According to Ahlback staging, 8 knees were at stageⅡand 10 knees at stageⅢ. The knee range of motion (ROM) was (112.3±11.3)°, and the angle of genu varus was (13.2±1.3)°. The American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 59.0±6.4. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, and no infection or lower limb deep venous thrombosis occurred. All of the patients were followed up 6-50 months (mean, 28 months). No prosthetic loosening and dislocation or lesions of contralateral compartment and patellofemoral joint developed. At 6 months after operation, the VAS score was significantly reduced to 2.8±1.2 (t=9.20, P=0.00); most of patients achieved significant relief of pain. The HSS score was significantly increased to 92.0±3.1 (t=19.69, P=0.00); and the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 94.4%. The knee ROM was (115.2±10.2)°, showing no significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=-0.81, P=0.23). The alignment of limbs showed that the angle of genu varus was significantly reduced to (6.8±2.1)° (t=10.99, P=0.00). ConclusionUKA has satisfactory short-term effectiveness in the treatment of medial compartmental knee osteoarthritis, however, long-term effectiveness need further studies.
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has a long history and has many advantages in some aspects over total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for patients with suitable indications, but it has not been established as a treatment at the same level with TKA. Therefore, 80 members of the British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK) and the European Knee Society (EKS) were invited to attend a joint meeting with the aim of creating an evidence-based consensus statement on UKA, in London, UK (December 2019). A formal consensus process was undertaken at the meeting incorporating a multiple round Delphi exercise, with group discussion of areas of agreement and disagreement between rounds. Five consensus statements were issued: ① UKA should be offered as a successful alternative to TKA in patients undergoing arthroplasty who meet agreed indications. ② When consenting a patient for UKA, information including the benefits and risks that are specific to UKA, should be tailored to and discussed with the individual patient. ③ Evidence suggests that surgeons should avoid low-volume use of UKA to optimise outcomes for their patients. ④ Surgeons should use the contemporary evidence-based indications and contraindications for medial UKA. ⑤ Knee arthroplasty surgeons should have exposure to and training in UKA. On the basis of full study of the consensus, combined with the Expert Consensus on Perioperative Management of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in China in 2020, this paper elaborates the meaning of the final evidence-based consensus for clinicians’ reference.
ObjectiveTo summarize the priority and indications of the unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and the evolution of minimally invasive surgery-UKA (MIS-UKA), and to discuss the effectiveness. MethodsThe related literature on UKA was extensively reviewed, summarized, and analyzed. ResultsRecently, satisfactory results has been achieved in UKA for the treatment of single room knee osteoarthritis. Both the design of the single condyle prosthesis and the surgical technique are becoming more advanced, which make the MIS-UKA possible. Especially the application of navigation computer and robot assisted system on UKA improves the accuracy of unicompartmental prosthesis implantation greatly. ConclusionThe superiority and indications of MIS-UKA are gradually expanding with the progress of surgical technique and the design of the single condyle prosthesis. However, whether the application of navigation computer and robot assisted system can improve the effectiveness needs to be further confirmed.
ObjectiveTo summarize research progress of change in bone mineral density (BMD) after knee arthroplasty and its diagnostic methods, influencing factors, and drug prevention and treatment.MethodsThe relevant literature at home and abroad was reviewed and summarized from research status of the advantages and disadvantages of BMD assessment methods, the trend of changes in BMD after knee arthroplasty and its influencing factors, and the differences in effectiveness of drugs.ResultsThe central BMD and mean BMD around the prosthesis decrease after knee arthroplasty, which is closely associated with body position, age, weight, daily activities, and the fixation methods, design, and material of prosthesis. Denosumab, bisphosphonates, and teriparatide et al. can decrease BMD loss after knee arthroplasty.ConclusionBMD after knee arthroplasty decreases, which is related to various factors, but the mechanism is unclear. At present, some inhibitors of bone resorption can decrease BMD loss after knee arthroplasty. However, its long-term efficacy remains to be further explored.
Objective To summarize the research progress of Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in treating partial thickness cartilage loss (PTCL) in the medial compartment of the knee joint, aiming to further clarify the indications and optimize the effectiveness of Oxford UKA. MethodsA comprehensive review of recent domestic and international literature on Oxford UKA for PTCL in the medial compartment of the knee joint was conducted to summarize its application and research advancements. ResultsBased on current researches, the main indication for Oxford UKA is full thinckness cartilage loss in the medial compartment of the knee joint. Although it has shown certain effectiveness in treating PTCL in the medial compartment of the knee joint, there are also reports of opposite conclusions. Therefore, there is still controversy over whether Oxford UKA can be chosen for PTCL, and the large-sample and multi-center studies are needed to further clarify the controversy. Studies indicate that accurate preoperative assessment of cartilage damage severity is crucial for selecting appropriate candidates for Oxford UKA to optimize postoperative effectiveness. ConclusionOxford UKA may represent an effective treatment for patients with PTCL in the medial compartment of the knee joint. However, strict patient selection and precise preoperative evaluation are essential to ensure surgical success and long-term effectiveness.
Objective To conclude the research progress of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in the treatment of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods The literature on UKA at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed to summarize the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with KOA, perioperative management (including evaluating indications preoperatively, intraoperative prosthesis selection, postoperative complication management, etc). Results Through reasonable preoperative evaluation, prosthesis selection, and advanced perioperative management, for elderly patients with KOA who meet the indications, UKA can be considered. Compared with total knee arthroplasty, the incidence of postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing UKA is lower, joint awareness is reduced, functional improvement and satisfaction are higher. Meanwhile, choosing appropriate prostheses and fixation methods can lead to a good survival rate. ConclusionUKA can provide a safe and effective treatment option for elderly patients with KOA within a certain range of indications.
Objective To investigate the effect of Navio robot-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) on the biomechanics of knee joint during sitting-up movement, and to determine whether UKA can maintain the biomechanical characteristics of knee joint. Methods The clinical data of 8 patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis treated with medial fixed platform of Navio robot-assisted UKA between January 2018 and January 2019 and had the complete follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 4 males and 4 females; the age ranged from 58 to 67 years, with an average of 62.3 years. The disease duration was 6-18 months, with an average of 13 months. The varus deformity ranged from 4° to 6°, with an average of 5°; the knee flexion range of motion was 0°-130°, with an average of 110°. All patients had no extension limitation. The imaging data of bilateral knees during sitting-up movement were collected by biplane C-arm X-ray machine at 3 weeks before operation and 7 months after operation. The three-dimensional models of femur and tibia were established by dual-energy CT scanning, and the three-dimensional models of femur and tibia were matched and synchronized with the femur and tibia in X-ray film by automatic matching tracer software. The biomechanical parameters of femur and tibia were measured, including internal rotation/external rotation, varus/valgus, forward/backward displacement of medial and lateral tibia contact center, and lateral compartment joint space. Results Eight patients were followed up 5-7 months, with an average of 6.4 months. In the comparison of the affected side before and after operation, except for the difference of varus/valgus which was significant (t=4.959, P=0.002), the differences in other indicators was not significant (P>0.05). There were significant differences in varus/valgus and internal rotation/external rotation between healthy and affected sides at 3 weeks before operation (P<0.05), and the differences in other indicators was not significant (P>0.05). At 7 months after operation, the difference in the forward and backward displacement of medial tibia contact center was significant (t=3.798, P=0.007), and the differences in other indicators was not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion UKA can effectively correct the varus and valgus of the knee joint, and restore the rotational biomechanical characteristics of the affected knee joint. It does not affect the establishment of the lateral compartment joint space, but the medial and lateral tibia contact center still changes.