Abstract
Introduction: The Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Hemiarthroplasty has been used in the Nelson region by three surgeons for over 10 years. This prosthesis has had favourable reports from the designers, with a 98% surviving 10-years or more. Other series have reported less successful results.
Aim: To evaluate the performance of this prosthesis in a provincial area.
Methods: Using the established audit system all patients were retrieved and their notes were reviewed. The patients were reviewed as outpatients according to the Oxford 12-item knee score and basic data were collected. Standardised radiographs were taken. Patients living out of the area were interviewed by telephone.
Sixty-three prostheses were implanted in 54 patients. Follow-up was from 55 to 144 months. Eighteen patients had died. Eight prostheses had been revised between four to 82months after the initial surgery. Of the patients who were reviewed, the average Oxford Knee score was 20. Two patients were not satisfied with the prosthesis.
Conclusions: These results are comparable with other non-designer series for the Oxford Knee. Patients who had successful replacements scored well and were very happy with their surgery, but there was a significant failure rate that must be taken into account when selecting patients for this prosthesis.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor A. J. Thurston. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Department of Surgery, Wellington School of Medicine, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand
