Comparison of Functional Outcomes of Two Knee Arthroplasty Techniques (Total Knee Arthroplasty and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty) for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis, simultaneously done in the Same Patients

Objectives: This study aims to provide a comprehensive comparative analysis of functional outcomes between Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) and Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) in patients diagnosed with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Both procedures were perform ed simultaneously on separate knees to evaluate their respective efficacy.Methods: The study included 25 patients (18 women and 7 men) with a mean age of 59.6 years, all meeting the criteria for administering UKA on one knee and TKA on the other. Radiographic and clinical data were collected over a two-year period, with assessments conducted at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Data included age, gender, body mass index, medical history, surgical procedures, and various scores and measurements related to knee function.Results: The UKA group exhibited significant improvements in functional scores compared to the TKA group. Specifically, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score for the UKA knee was 24.5% higher than that of the TKA knee, indicating better functional outcomes. Radiographically, the tibiofemoral angle was more than two times greater in the UKA method, while the varus angle was significantly greater in the TKA method. No post-operative complications were reported.Conclusion: This study underscored the safety and efficacy of both UKA and TKA procedures in the treatment of bilateral knee osteoarthritis. UKA demonstrated superior functional outcomes, while TKA displayed distinct advantages in radiographic alignment. Individual patient characteristics and preferences should guide the selection of the most appropriate surgical approach. Level of evidence: IV