On the basis of the evidence presented in this systematic review, the ASERNIP-S Review Group agreed on the following classifications and recommendations concerning the safety and efficacy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty:
Evidence rating: The evidence-base in this review is rated as average.
Safety: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is considered at least as safe as total knee arthroplasty and high tibial osteotomy.
Efficacy: In terms of function, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty appears to be at least as efficacious as total knee arthroplasty and high tibial osteotomy. In terms of knee survival, the efficacy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty compared to total knee arthroplasty and high tibial osteotomy can not be determined.
Recommendations Current trials in progress should reduce some uncertainty surrounding the treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee. The continuing contribution of data to national joint registries will aid in validating the current trends, particularly in knee survival after unicompartmental or total knee arthroplasty.