Summary

Choosing the right patients is recognized as one of the key to the success of UKA.MRI is a reliable method for assessing the ACL and cartilage defects of the knee with a high clinical value for case selection in UKA.

Abstract

Purpose

:To discuss the value of preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)
for case selection in unicondylar knee arthroplasty(UKA).
Methods:From July 2012 to July 2014，22 knees in 20 patients who were scheduled to undergo UKA were evaluated by MRI preoperatively．The assessment of MRI was comfirmed by intraoperative observation.UKA outcome was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS) knee score and subjective satisfaction score after regular follow-up．
Results:19 knees in 17 patients were suitable to undergo UKA based on MRI．Three knees were bound to be changed the surgical plan from UKA to TKA (total knee arthroplasty) because of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) injury(two knees) and chronic synovitis (one knee) diagnosed by MRI.Those results were in line with intraoperative findings.Postoperative HSS scores and satisfaction of patients were very high a year later．

Conclusion

:MRI is a reliable method for assessing the ACL and cartilage defects of the knee with a high clinical value for case selection in UKA.