Abstract:Objective To compare the mid-term follow-up outcomes of lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in the treatment of secondary knee arthritis after lateral meniscectomy with primary arthritis. Methods The clinical data of 327 patients who underwent lateral UKA for lateral unicompartmental knee arthritis from March 2013 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were finally divided into 2 groups according to whether they had a history of previous meniscectomy or not: 38 patients in the secondary group (post-meniscectomy group), and 38 patients were selected as the primary group (without meniscectomy group) by a 1:1 matching according to age, sex, and side of the operated limb. Compared the general data, perioperative period, clinical follow-up outcomes and imaging data of the two groups of patients. Results Preoperative Q-angle of patients in the secondary group was significantly higher than that in the primary group, as well as the proportion of severe osteoarthritis of the lateral unicompartment knee (K-L classification grade 4) (p < 0.05). Whereas the angle of knee flexion contracture was significantly lower than that in the primary group (p < 0.05). Men had a significantly greater post-meniscectomy asymptomatic survival rate than women in the secondary group (p > 0.05). All patients were followed up for a mean of (63.2 ± 24.6) months. There were not statistically significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative scores of VAS, OKS, ROM, femorotibial angle (FTA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA), operation time, and the duration of surgery between the two groups. During the follow-up period, there was 1 case of superficial incision infection in the primary group. There were no revision cases in both groups. Conclusion The mid-term follow-up outcomes of lateral UKA for the treatment of lateral unicompartmental knee arthritis were reliable. History of lateral meniscectomy did not exert a significant negative effect on lateral UKA for the treatment of lateral unicompartmental knee arthritis.