Should central osteophytes within the articular cartilage of the lateral compartment be considered when determining the indication of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for medial osteoarthritis?

Abstract

Patients with central osteophytes in the lateral compartment may be poor candidates for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for medial knee arthritis given the thin overlying articular cartilage above the central osteophytes that is inadequate for supporting weight-bearing after UKA. Therefore, attempts should be made to detect central osteophytes to confirm suitability for UKA.

Keywords: Cartilage; Central osteophyte; Indication; Lateral compartment; Medial knee osteoarthritis; UKA.