The study compared unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with mobile and fixed platforms, depicted that for treatment of single compartmental OA of the knee, there is no significant difference in the early outcome of unicondylar prosthesis with fixed and mobile platforms. 

The case-control study aimed to compare and investigate the early clinical outcomes of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty utilizing mobile and fixed platforms for the treatment of single compartmental knee OA.

From January 2013 to December 2014, the study enrolled a total of 86 cases (92 knees) with single compartmental (medial) knee OA. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups (fixed platform group and mobile platform group). One group (n=42 patients, 18 men, and 24 women) underwent knee arthroplasty utilizing fixed platform prosthesis. The other group (n=44 patients, 20 men, and 24 women) underwent knee arthroplasty utilizing mobile platform prosthesis.

The knee arthroplasty was carried out by the same group of doctors. The participants were followed for a duration ranging from 8 to 26 months (average of 18.20± 4.23 months). The operation time, blood loss, ROM (range of motion), KSS (Knee Society Score), and HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery) scores of knee joint before and after surgery were noted. The clinical follow up was accomplished.

During the follow-up period, one patient in the fixed platform group reported the periprosthetic fracture 1 year after the operation. One patient in the mobile platform group reported polyethylene liner dislocation. No complications such as periprosthetic infection, poor wound healing, or sterile prosthesis loosening were witnessed.

For both the groups, the postoperative ROM, KSS, and HSS was more in comparison with preoperative ROM, KSS, and HSS. The operation time and blood loss for both the groups are depicted in the following table:

No significant differences were witnessed between the two groups.

In patients with single compartmental knee OA, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty with mobile and fixed platform yield similar clinical outcomes.