Comparison of Unilateral Knee Arthroplasty with High Tibial Osteotomy in Surgical Treatment of Medial Knee Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) and unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) are two procedures of choice in moderate medial-sided knee osteoarthritis. In this study, we aimed to compare the outcomes of patients undergoing either unilateral knee arthroplasty or open-wedge HTO both clinically and radiologically.

METHODS

Clinical records of 105 patients treated surgically with either medial unilateral knee arthroplasty or high tibial osteotomies were reviewed. Fifty-one cases of HTO (group 1) and 54 cases of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (group 2) were reviewed. Radiographic follow-up data included Kellgren Lawrence index and mechanical alignment measurements using the PACS system. Clinical and functional follow-up data included range of motion degrees and functional assessment scores (Tegner, Lysholm, Knee Society Score and VAS).

RESULTS

Mean time of follow-up was 66.10±8.14 months and 65.27±6.95 months for groups 1 and 2, respectively. The HTO group had better radiographic improvement and greater range of motion than the unicompartmental knee arthroplasty group. Despite a significant difference in Lysholm Knee Score and a slight difference in VAS score in favor of HTO, both groups were similar with regard to functional outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Both techniques are satisfactory in terms of functional outcomes about five years after the operation and may be considered in cases of middle-aged medial-sided gonarthrosis (<65 years of age) who do not have additional ligament or compartmental pathology.