2021 Annual Meeting Knee Access Pass-Debate: 44-year-old Attorney Who Enjoys Hiking & Cycling, No Medial Joint Space - Knee Arthroplasty: Age No Longer a Cut-off

Debate: 44-year-old Attorney Who Enjoys Hiking & Cycling, No Medial Joint Space - Knee Arthroplasty: Age No Longer a Cut-off

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Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker reviews treatment options for a 44-year-old active patient with severe (grade 4) medial knee arthritis. Non-operative care and arthroscopic debridement are unlikely to help. Osteotomy offers joint preservation but poorer outcomes in advanced arthritis. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UNI) provides better pain relief, longevity, and functional return than osteotomy, with 10-year survival around 96%. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) also yields good pain relief and 10-20 year survival (~85-95%), though with slightly less range of motion and return to sports (mainly low impact). Recent studies show comparable outcomes between UNI and TKA for isolated medial arthritis. Overall, arthroplasty is recommended for young patients with grade 4 arthritis.

Asset Caption

Dr. Kevin Freedman | Osteoarthritis and the Aging Athlete

Keywords

medial knee arthritis

unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

total knee arthroplasty

osteotomy

grade 4 arthritis