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Updated: Feb 23, 2026
In Vitro Application of a Wireless Sensor in Flexion-Extension Gap Balance of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Published on: May 5, 2023
Simultaneous ipsilateral knee arthroscopy and unicondylar knee arthroplasty is effective for bicompartmental symptoms
Akshay Lakra1, Taylor Murtaugh1, Jeffrey A Geller1
1Center for Hip and Knee Replacement, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University at New York Presbyterian Hospital, 622 West 168th Street, PH 1155, New York, NY 10032, United States.
Background:
Patients with unicompartmental radiographic arthritis but bicompartmental symptoms pose a clinical challenge. Some surgeons may perceive it as a contraindication for unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA). We investigated patient outcomes 2 years after simultaneous ipsilateral arthroscopy and UKA as compared to a similar group of patients who had total knee replacement (TKA) for a similar clinical presentation.
Methods:
We identified 9 patients with simultaneous ipsilateral arthroscopy and UKA between 2004 and 2013, and 12 clinically similar patients treated with TKA.
Results:
At 1- and 2-years, SF-12 physical scores were significantly improved in the UKA-scope group than in the TKA group (47.2 vs 40.3, p = 0.042; 48.3 vs 32.6, p = 0.026). WOMAC pain score, WOMAC stiffness score, WOMAC function and KSFS were significantly improved in the UKA-scope group at 2 years as compared to the TKA group (98.7 vs 63.8, p = 0.030), (90.1 vs 43.8, p = 0.013), (92.3 vs 55.2, p = 0.027 and (92.3 vs 55.2, p = 0.027), respectively). Change in score from baseline for KSFS, SF-12 physical and WOMAC stiffness were significantly improved in the UKA-scope group at 2 years compared to TKA, (28.3 vs -5, p = 0.041), (13.6 vs 3.0, p = 0.026), (52.6 vs -6.3, p = 0.025), respectively.
Conclusion:
This study shows that patients with isolated compartment radiographic disease but with bicompartmental symptoms can benefit from UKA and simultaneous arthroscopy. Further, TKA for isolated compartment radiographic disease in this limited series had poorer outcomes. We obtain MRI selectively when physical exam and radiographic findings suggest isolated arthritic disease in patients with bicompartmental symptoms.
