Sources of data: through PubMed was performed a literature search using as key terms "Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty" and limiting the search to articles published between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012, written in English or Portuguese. 94 articles were selected, being included in this monograph those that revealed themselves relevant.

 

Summary of data: in the past 20 years there has been an increased interest in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty due to changes in materials, surgical techniques and patient selection criteria that led to improved survival of the prostheses and the results obtained, being achievable today, results superimposable to those observed with total knee arthroplasty.

 

Conclusions: unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, when in the hands of an experienced surgeon, may be a viable option in the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis, even in young and active patients, revealing these prostheses long lasting and able to provide good functional results.

 

 

Key words: Unicompartmental, Knee, Arthroplasty