Unicondylar knee replacement (UKA) is a less invasive procedure than total knee replacement that replaces only the damaged or arthritic parts of one compartment of the knee. UKA aims to resurface the diseased compartment without altering knee joint kinematics by preserving the cruciate ligaments. UKA is indicated for isolated uni-compartmental osteoarthritis with pain localized to one side and intact ligaments. Contraindications include osteoarthritis in both compartments and an absent ACL. Proper technique during UKA involves avoiding overcorrection and preventing tibial spine impingement. Advantages include preserving normal knee function while allowing for quicker recovery, but disadvantages include potential secondary degeneration and loosening requiring conversion to total

1. Unicondylar Knee Replacement
Dr. Anshu Sharma
Assistant Prof.
Dept. of Orthopaedics, GMC&H.

3.  Unlike total knee replacement
surgery UKA is
 Less invasive procedure
 Replaces only damaged or arthritic
parts in either compartments
 UKA aims to resurface the
diseased compartment without
altering the kinematics of knee
joint by load transfer or sacrificing
the cruciate ligaments.

4. Indications of UKA
 Clinically:-
-Pain and tenderness localized to one side of joint line,
-Flexion Arc greater than 90*,
-FFD less than 10*,
-Passively correctable deformity,
-Intact ACL.
 Radiologically:-
-Isolated Uni-compartmental OA,
-Varus deformity <10* or Valgus deformity<5*,
-Insignificant degenerative changes in opposite compartment.

5. Contraindications of UKA
 OA involving both compartments ,
 Absence of an intact ACL,
 Inflammatory Arthritis,
 Crystal deposition induced Arthritis,
 Full thickness patellar cartilage loss,
 Previous HTO,
 Previous Patellectomy,
 BMI >30 kg/m2.

7. Procedural tips:
 Avoid overcorrections
 undercorrect the mechanical axis by 2-3 degrees
 overcorrection places excess load on unresurfaced
compartment.
 Remove osteophytes (peripheral and notch)
 Resect minimal bone
 Avoid extensive soft tissue releases
 Avoid edge loading
 Prevent tibial spine impingement with proper
mediolateral placement.

8. Advantages of UKA
 Preservation of normal knee
kinematics (Retaining ACL &
PCL)
 Small incision size,
 Less bone removed,
 Less blood loss,
 Lower morbidity,
 Quicker recovery & Early
rehabilitation,
 Shorter hospitalization.

9. Disadvantages of UKA
 Inferior survivorship,
 Secondary degeneration of opposite compartment,
 Patella impingement on femoral component (patella
pain),
 Stress fracture almost always involving Tibia,
 Tibial component collapse due to poor mechanical
properties of bone,
 Component loosening,
 Polyethylene wear.

11. Erect
Postop xrays

12. Conversion of UKA to TKR

13. THANK YOU……!!!!