[Application of modified tibial extramedullary localization technique in Link-Sled prosthesis for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and its clinical efficacy].

Objective: To explore clinical effect of modified tibial extramedullary localization technique applied to unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA) in patients with single compartment osteoarthritis.

Methods: From May 2018 to February 2022, 75 patients with single-compartment osteoarthritis of knee joint (33 males and 42 females) were treated with modified tibial extramedullary localization technique UKA, aged from 52 to 73 years old with an average of (64.0±6.0) years old;the course of disease ranged from 0.5 to 11.0 years with an average of (3.2±2.7) years;31 patients on the left side, 37 patients on the right side and 7 patients on both sides. The position of prosthesis was evaluated by AP and lateral X-ray of knee joint and postoperative complications were observed. Visual analog scale(VAS) and Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS) of knee score were compared before and 1 year after operation. Forgotten joint score(FJS) was used to evaluate degree of amnesia at 1 year after operation.

Results: Seventy-five patients were followed up for 12 to 15 months with an average of (13.0±1.5) months. Postoperative complications were occurred in 2 patients, of which 1 patient was superficial incision infection, which healed after dressing change. One patient was developed intraarticular bleeding at 1 month after operation, which was improved after arthroscopic cleaning. VAS was decreased from (6.4±0.9) before operation to (2.3±0.3) at 1 year after operation (<0.01), and HSS was increased from (65.2±7.5) before operation to (92.8±5.3) at 1 year after operation (<0.01). FJS score at 1 year after operation was (70.5±2.3), indicating that the sensation of knee joint after operation was close to proprioception.

Conclusion: UKA has definite clinical effect on single-compartment osteoarthritis, which could reduce postoperative pain, improve knee joint function, and is the main surgical treatment for single-compartment osteoarthritis. The modified tibial extramedullary localization technique could be used to locate osteotomy direction and prosthesis position more conveniently and accurately during operation, and obtain good clinical effect.