We report the results of a minimum 21-year followup of a consecutive series of 103 patients who had 136 Marmor cemented unicompartmental knee replacements done between 1975 and 1982. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. At minimum 21-year followup 14 patients (19 knees) were alive, 87 patients (115 knees) had died, and only 2 patients (2 knees) were lost to followup. The average age at surgery was 70.9 years. The average followup Hospital for Special Surgery knee score was 58. The average Knee Society final followup clinical and functional scores averaged 72 and 53 points, respectively. 19 knees (14%) were revised during the 21-year followup period: 9 for progression of disease, 8 for loosening, and 2 for pain, at an average of 10.6 years (range, 1-22 years). Of the 19 knees in the 14 patients who were still alive at final followup, 7 (37%) were revised: 2 for tibial loosening, 4 for disease progression, and one for pain. Unicompartmental knee replacements in this relatively older age group of patients performed well at minimum 21-year followup. Although we are encouraged by these results, only 22% were done in patients who were younger than 65 years at the time of surgery and the results in this group were significantly less durable.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV-1 (case series). Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
We report the results of a minimum 21-year followup of a consecutive series of 103 patients who had 136 Marmor cemented unicompartmental knee replacements done between 1975 and 1982. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. At minimum 21-year followup 14 patients (19 knees) were alive, 87 patients (115 knees) had died, and only 2 patients (2 knees) were lost to followup. The average age at surgery was 70.9 years. The average followup Hospital for Special Surgery knee score was 58. The average Knee Society final followup clinical and functional scores averaged 72 and 53 points, respectively. 19 knees (14%) were revised during the 21-year followup period: 9 for progression of disease, 8 for loosening, and 2 for pain, at an average of 10.6 years (range, 1-22 years). Of the 19 knees in the 14 patients who were still alive at final followup, 7 (37%) were revised: 2 for tibial loosening, 4 for disease progression, and one for pain. Unicompartmental knee replacements in this relatively older age group of patients performed well at minimum 21-year followup. Although we are encouraged by these results, only 22% were done in patients who were younger than 65 years at the time of surgery and the results in this group were significantly less durable.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV-1 (case series). Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.