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Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

Introduction

If arthritis or injury affects only part of your knee, you may not need a full knee replacement. In some cases, a partial knee replacement (also called unicompartmental knee replacement) can relieve pain and restore movement by replacing only the damaged portion of the joint. This option is less invasive and can preserve more of your natural knee.

 

What is Partial Knee Replacement?

Instead of replacing the entire knee joint, a partial knee replacement resurfaces only the damaged compartment (inside, outside, or under the kneecap). The healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments are preserved, allowing the knee to function more naturally.

 

Benefits of Partial Knee Replacement

1. Less Invasive

  • Smaller incision and less disruption of tissues.

  • Preserves healthy bone and ligaments.

2. Faster Recovery

  • Less post operative swelling, quicker return to range of motion

  • Quicker return to daily activities compared to total knee replacement.

3. Less Pain After Surgery

  • Because less tissue is disturbed, patients may experience reduced discomfort in the early recovery period.

4. More Natural Knee Function

  • Preserving the ligaments and part of the knee joint helps the knee feel and move more like a natural knee in comparison to a total knee.

 

Who is a Candidate?

Partial knee replacement may be an option if:

  • Arthritis is limited to one area of the knee.

  • Knee ligaments are strong and intact.

  • You have good range of motion.

  • You have not had extensive prior knee surgery.

Dr. Cone will use imaging and a physical exam to decide if this is the best treatment for you.

 

Conclusion

Partial knee replacement can be an excellent solution for patients with arthritis limited to one part of the knee. It offers smaller surgery, faster recovery, and more natural movement compared to total knee replacement. Speak Dr. Cone to see if this treatment is right for you.

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References

  1. Kozinn, S. C., & Scott, R. (1989). Unicondylar knee arthroplasty. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 71(1), 145–150.

  2. Pandit, H., Jenkins, C., Gill, H. S., Barker, K., Dodd, C. A., & Murray, D. W. (2011). Minimally invasive Oxford phase 3 unicompartmental knee replacement: Results of 1,000 cases. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British), 93-B(2), 198–204.

  3. Liddle, A. D., Judge, A., Pandit, H., & Murray, D. W. (2014). Adverse outcomes after total and unicompartmental knee replacement in 101,330 matched patients: A study of data from the National Joint Registry for England and Wales. Lancet, 384(9952), 1437–1445.

  4. Price, A. J., Webb, J., Topf, H., Dodd, C. A., & Murray, D. W. (2001). Rapid recovery after Oxford unicompartmental arthroplasty through a short incision. Journal of Arthroplasty, 16(8), 970–976.

knee with osteoarthritis limited to one side of the knee
knee after partial knee replacement
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