The Surgical Steps for Lateral Partial Knee Arthroplasty

Unicompartmental tibiofemoral osteoarthritis generally affects the medial compartment of the knee, but in 10% of cases, the lateral compartment is primarily involved. A lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is a potential solution, with a 10-year survivorship greater than 90% – rates comparable to total knee arthroplasty. The lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty requires specific indications due to the biomechanical differences between the medial and lateral compartments and remains a technically demanding surgery. Proper patient selection, correct implant size selection and position, and avoiding overcorrection of the preoperative valgus deformity are critically important in ensuring good patient outcomes. The lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty demonstrates equivocal or slightly superior implant survival and outcomes versus medial unicompartmental arthroplasty in the treatment of isolated compartment tibiofemoral arthritis.