Impact of Fixed-Bearing and Mobile-Bearing Tibial Insert in Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty

Introduction: The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of fixed or mobile-bearing tibial inserts on patellofemoral arthrosis and evaluate which one to be preferred for patients with patellofemoral arthrosis. Methods: Operated in our clinic between January 2009 and February 2013, 33 with patellofemoral arthritis together with anteromedial compartment arthritis were included in the study. Patellofemoral joints of patients were evaluated according to the scoring system defined by Fulkerson-Shea. Results: Unicondylar knee arthroplasty with fixed-bearing tibial inserts and 22 (66,6%) (male: 3, female: 19) and unicondylar knee arthroplasty with mobile-bearing tibial inserts 11 (33,9 %) (male: 2, female: 9) were implanted.Average knee flexion was found to be 116,5 (100-135) degrees in 22 patients with mobile-bearing tibial inserts, and 114,5 (95-135) in 11 patients with fixed-bearing tibial inserts. Conclusion: Patellofemoral arthrosis is an important factor for unicondylar knee arthroplasty prognosis and one of the determinants of patient satisfaction. Significantly less patellofemoral complaints were seen with UKA with fixed-bearing tibial insert compared to mobile-bearing tibial insert.