Purpose: Revision of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is technically demanding but can be performed with computer navigation system guidance. The purpose of this study was (1) to compare the outcomes of revision of UKA to TKA to those of primary TKA and (2) to describe a surgical technique for the revision of UKA to TKA using a navigation system.
Methods: From May 2011 to April 2014, a total of 298 knees underwent primary navigation-assisted TKA (group 1), and navigation-assisted UKA revision to TKA was performed in 15 patients (group 2). One to three propensity score matching was performed to compare the two groups after a minimum of three years of follow-up. Radiographic and clinical outcomes in addition to radiolucent lines were evaluated during follow-up.
Results: In group 1, there was one case that required metal block augmentation with the long stem under the tibial plate due to severe bone loss, while in other cases, short stems were used, and cement and autogenous bone grafts were used to fill bone defects due to minimal bone loss. Pre- and post-operative outcomes were significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.001). There were no statistical differences between groups in pre- and post-operative outcomes except post-operative Knee Society Function Score (KSFS) (p = 0.008). There were no radiolucent lines in the tibia or femur in either group during follow-up.
Conclusions: With the use of an appropriate surgical technique, navigation-assisted revision of UKA to TKA can yield clinical and radiologic outcomes comparable to those of primary navigation-assisted TKA.
Level of evidence: Level IV.
Keywords: Navigation system; Total knee arthroplasty; Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty; Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty revision.