Unicompartmental polycentric knee arthroplasty: description and preliminary results.

Unicompartmental polycentric knee arthoplasty is a procedure that we have performed in relatively few patients whose disease has not been suitable for conventional reconstruction or for total knee replacement. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations and operative technique differ little from that previously published for total knee arthroplasty. One-year follow-up of 14 knees (13 patients) reveals no major complications. These early results encourage further trial of the procedure in selected patients. Unicompartmental arthroplasty is reserved for conditions affecting predominantly one side of the joint. More specific indications are clearly defined and pertain to patients who have osteoarthritis unsuitable for valgus upper tibial osteotomy, condylar fracture and necrosis, and failure of osteotomy and tibial plateau prosthesis.