Unicompartmental arthroplasty of the knee with the cemented MOD3(TM) prosthesis

A consecutive prospective series of 19 knees had unicompartmental arthroplasty between 1991 and 1992 for gonarthrosis and AVN. The MOD3(TM) prosthesis was used in all cases. A total follow-up evaluation was undertaken after 6 to 7.5 years (mean 6.5 years) in 18 patients (1 patient has died during the observation period). Complications included 1 technical failure, 2 cases of thromboembolic phenomena and 1 case of a late deep infection. Knee score averaged 84.3 (pre-operative 54.7) and functional score averaged 68.9 (pre-operative 34.6). There were no cases with aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. It is concluded that with the appropriate indications, the unicompartmental arthroplasty of the knee is an effective and predictable procedure to achieve pain reduction and improved quality of life in patients with monocompartmental arthritis. Furthermore, the cemented MOD3(TM) prosthesis yields results that are comparable to other unicompartmental prostheses in current use.