Abstract
The aim was to identify frequency and pattern of early UKR failure in New Zealand.
We analysed data from the New Zealand National Joint Register in a 44 month period of 2000–2003.
Thirty-five percent of the 1790 registered UKRs were performed in the last 8 months [ie. in 18% of the total time period]. The ratio of UKRs to TKRs performed was 1:6.25. Fifty two revisions meant a failure rate of 2.9% for UKR (n=1790) compared with 1.6% for TKR (n=11243). The most commonly used implants were the Oxford P3 (68% of total with 2.2% revision rate), MG uni (14.6% with 4.6% revision rate) and Preservation (7% with 5.6 revision rate). The most common reasons for revision (n=52) were aseptic loosening (28%), bearing dislocation or impingement (19%), and unexplained pain (13%). The deep sepsis rate for UKR was 0.33% compared to 0.43% for TKR.
UKR usage is rapidly increasing in NZ. The revision rate for UKR was 1.8 x that for TKR. The revision rate for deep sepsis was 77% that for TKR. Unexplained pain in apparently technically normal UKR was the 3rd most common reason for revision. Bearing impingement was as common as bearing dislocation as a cause for failure in the Oxford P3 UKR. Early polythene wear was the reason for revision only in the 8mm MG prosthesis.
The abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary Jean-Claude Theis. Correspondence should be addressed to NZOA at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand.
