90° Spinning of Polyethylene Inserts in Mobile Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

<b>Background</b> The objective of this article is to describe for the first time a case of 90<sup>°</sup> spin out of a mobile bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) polyethylene insert. In this report, we present a 57-year-old gentleman with a medial compartment UKA for osteoarthritis in 2017 who developed dislodgement and 90<sup>°</sup> rotation subsequent to traumatic injury when he was involved in a bus crash and impacted the anterolateral knee sustaining a valgus type injury 1 week postoperatively. Following the injury, he reported medial knee pain and a sensation of something moving within the joint. He was initially managed conservatively and progressed to full weight bearing; however, he experienced intermittent symptoms of catching and blocking of the joint, as well as medial knee swelling, that inhibited his ability to perform activities involving walking, kneeling, or pivoting. Imaging taken in 2018 show a 90° rotation of the polyethylene insert. These images showed the longitudinal metallic marker on the insert facing in an anteroposterior direction as opposed to the normal medial-lateral orientation. Failing conservative management, he presented to our clinic in 2019 and proceeded for revision of his UKA. Intraoperatively, his insert was reviewed and seen to easily spin on axis. The liner was therefore removed and upsized from a size 5 medium to a size 7 medium insert which provided excellent stability and stopped any further spinning. He has done tremendously well since the operation and reports full range of motion and no concerns. In patients with a history of pain, swelling, or locking following a UKA, it would be prudent to consider insert spinning, as well as the more common dislocation, through confirming the orientation of the metallic insert marker. Revision surgery to correct the spinning defect has proven effective with good resolution of symptoms and return to full range of motion.