A comprehensive review of complications following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) was developed in the 1970s to address unilateral degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee. Currently, UKA is recognized as the most effective surgical option for managing anteromedial osteoarthritis of the knee. While early complications of UKA remain infrequently reported, the rising procedural volume has revealed significant postoperative challenges requiring systematic investigation. This review synthesizes evidence from PubMed, Wanfang Data, and China Knowledge Network databases through a systematic search of Chinese and English literature (published prior to May 2025). Inclusion criteria comprised clinical studies, reviews, and case reports, with subsequent screening identifying high-quality studies for comprehensive analysis. A comprehensive review of common complications of UKA, including weight-bearing dislocation, periprosthetic infection, and periprosthetic tibial fracture, was conducted. Through analyzing relevant cases and clinical data, we aim to identify the underlying causes of these complications, their clinical consequences, and the associated treatment strategies. Additionally, we interrogate modifiable risk factors influencing complication incidence, proposing targeted interventions to optimize both patient outcomes and UKA survivorship.