Catastrophic Femoral Component Failure of a Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

We report a case of previously undescribed medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty failure due to femoral component implant fracture. The patient experienced sudden pain and locking while ambulating 8 years postoperatively. Radiographs revealed catastrophic femoral component failure with a transverse break through the metal. The patient underwent revision to total knee arthroplasty. At 1-year follow-up, the patient had no pain and a range of motion of 130 degrees. Particular attention should be paid to obtaining adequate femoral component posterior flange fixation during unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Patient education regarding maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to preventing this complication.

Keywords

• Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
• Aseptic loosening
• Revision knee arthroplasty