The Orthobullets Podcast Recon | Unicompartmental Knee Replacement
Sep 5, 2025
Dive into the world of unicompartmental knee replacement! Discover the criteria for patient selection and compare it to total knee arthroplasty. Learn about the advantages and potential drawbacks of the procedure. The discussion also reveals essential surgical techniques to avoid complications. Plus, explore outcomes based on bearing types and get answers to burning questions for orthopedic professionals. It's a treasure trove of insights for anyone in the field!
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Targeted Single-Compartment Treatment
- Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty treats arthritis confined to a single knee compartment.
- It applies to medial, lateral, or isolated patellofemoral disease and differs from total knee arthroplasty in scope.
Implant Types And Tradeoffs
- Medial compartment disease is most common and fixed-bearing implants were historically standard.
- Mobile bearings increase conformity and show excellent long-term survivorship but add technical demand and dislocation risk.
Prefer UKA For Faster Recovery
- Choose unicompartmental replacement for faster rehab, less blood loss, and preserved kinematics when indications fit.
- Expect smaller incisions, less pain, and shorter hospital stays versus total knee arthroplasty.