Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee pain from arthritis can be particularly debilitating, because we use our knees in almost all of our daily activities. If you are experiencing severe knee pain that interferes with your normal functioning, your doctor may recommend a partial knee replacement, also known as uni-compartmental knee replacement.

This procedure is much less invasive than total knee replacement and may give relief to people suffering from arthritis or a knee injury. Partial knee replacement surgery replaces only the damaged area of your knee joint, and it may require only one day of hospitalization. Recovery time is also far less than that of total knee replacement surgery.

Available Treatment Options

Your doctor may try several conservative treatments before recommending partial knee replacement.

If the conservative treatments do not relieve your pain from arthritis of the knee, surgical procedures may be recommended. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to remove debris or repair torn cartilage. Total knee replacement surgery is major surgery that replaces all three compartments of the knee. Between those two alternatives is uni-compartmental surgery.

Minimally Invasive Partial Knee Replacement:

The uni-compartmental knee replacement is a minimally invasive option for patients with knee arthritis that is isolated to either the medial or lateral compartment of the knee. This procedure provides several benefits to patients with a moderately active lifestyle, who are within normal weight ranges and have arthritis in just a single compartment.

There are many benefits to uni-compartmental knee replacement. First of all, the procedure requires an incision of just 3-4 inches, rather than the incision of 8-12 inches required by a total knee replacement.

There is no disruption of the knee cap, which contributes to a shorter rehabilitation period.

There is minimal blood loss during the procedure for a partial knee replacement. The procedure also results in less post-operative pain and requires greatly reduced hospitalization time compared with a total knee replacement.

There is also a reduced need for anesthesia and post-operative medication.

After the surgery, most patients are able to walk within 3 or 4 hours and experience a much shorter rehabilitation and recovery time (2 to 5 weeks for many patients). After achieving full recovery, most patients experience a range of motion that is better than that resulting from total knee replacement.

The Procedure

The partial knee replacement procedure begins with the exposure of the joint through a 3 to 4 inch incision. The surgeon then properly balances the knee joint. Then the end of the femur and top of the tibia are shaped to accommodate the uni-compartmental knee replacement components.

Trial components are then placed on the bones to ensure proper alignment; they are removed once this alignment is achieved. Next, the femoral and tibial components are implanted, the incision is closed, and the procedure is complete.

Returning Home:

You will be released from the hospital when you can get out of bed on your own and walk with a walker or crutches, walk up and down three steps, bend your knee 90 degrees, and straighten your knee.

You’ll continue your home exercise program and go to outpatient physical therapy, where you will work on an advanced strengthening program including stationary cycling, walking, and aquatic therapy.

Your long-term rehabilitation goals are a range of motion from 100-120 degrees of knee flexion, mild or no pain with walking or other functional activities, and independence in all activities of daily living.

Contents courtesy of knee-replacement-info.com