Primary Knee Symposium: Biomechanical Considerations in the Knee
Partial Knee Resurfacing – Kirby Hitt, MD
Dr. Hitt reviewed the potential advantages of uni knee arthroplasty:1
- Preservation of more normal knee kinematics
- Lower perioperative morbidity
- Less blood loss
- Accelerated rehab and recovery
He then referred to the 2008 Australian Joint Registry in pointing out higher revision rates with uni knees and the failure modes. PSlide A PSlide B PSlide C PSlide D He discussed fixed versus mobile bearing uni's and asserted that, in some cases, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes, PSlide E PSlide F but in others, there was. PSlide G
Dr. Hitt emphasized the importance of understanding how to prevent early failure. He reiterated some of these causes: wear, loosening and adjacent compartment degeneration.
He then shifted to a discussion of the Triathlon PKR, a next-generation uni knee. He reviewed the instrumentation, which was designed for ease and reproducibility. It is also the only uni knee on the market that is available with highly cross-linked polyethylene. He presented results of a lab test where Triathlon had 87% less volumetric wear than the Biomet Oxford.2
Dr. Hitt discussed his ideal candidates for uni knees. PSlide H He concluded that results for uni knees depend on patient selection, surgical technique, and implant design.
References
- Newman, J. et. al. Unicompartmental or total knee replacement? Five-Year Results of a Prospective, Randomised Trial of 102 Osteoarthritic Knees With Unicompartmental Arthritis. JBJS (Br).
- Stryker Test Report, RD – 08-085.
