[AMC unicondylar prosthesis]

Since its introduction in the 1970s, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has become a standardized routine technique. Increasing experience in determining the indication for UKA and improvements in design and materials of the prosthesis have led to better results. The AMC UKA has an unconstrained mobile bearing with congruent area contact from 0 degrees to 30 degrees of flexion. The principle is that a polyethylene mobile bearing, concavely spherical above and flat below, can maintain perfect congruity between the spherical metal femoral condyle and the flat metal tibial plateau. This ensures complete freedom to rotate and slide upon one other with physiologic kinematic and low intrinsic stability. The low contact stress results in reduced polyethylene wear. The 361 AMC UKA replacements of the current study showed safe anchorage of the prosthesis and good durability of the mobile bearings. The clinical results of the investigated patients demonstrate that the AMC UKA is a successful concept. The comparison of 30 minimally invasive UKA with 30 conventional UKA and 30 total knee replacements shows an advantage of the minimally invasive technique with regard to reduced rehabilitation time. The accuracy of implantation was comparable between the conventional and the minimally invasive techniques.