Unicompartmental knee replacements with Miller-Galante prosthesis: two to 16-year follow-up of a single surgeon series.

We report the outcome of 94 Miller-Galante unicompartmental knee replacements done by a single surgeon over 16 years in a district general hospital in the UK. Patellofemoral arthritis was considered a contraindication only if symptomatic and confirmed on radiography and surgery. Deformity when present was correctable. The mean age at surgery was 66.54 years. The mean follow-up was 10.8 years (2-16 years). The mean Bristol knee score was 43.1 (28-50); 86% of the patients had good or excellent scores. The average range of flexion was 110.6° (80-130°); 89% of the knees had an appropriate alignment. Using revision as the endpoint, outcome for every knee was established. The survival rate for medial unicompartmental knee replacements was 94% at ten years and 87% at 15 years. Although the survival rate for the lateral unicompartmental knee replacement was 97% at five years, it dropped to 41% at eight years. Lateral unicompartmental knee replacements formed only 9.6% of all the replacements in this series. The results for medial unicompartmental knee replacements are similar to reports by other authors for similar and mobile bearing designs. Unicompartmental knee replacement results in a more kinematic knee and produces good functional results.