Understanding Partial Knee Replacement

If you are considering knee surgery, the following partial knee replacement information may help you understand your alternatives.

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 or UNI.

This procedure is less invasive than total knee replacement and may give relief to people suffering from arthritis of the knee or a knee injury. Partial knee replacement surgery replaces only the damaged area of your knee joint, may require only one day of hospitalization, and results in dramatically less recovery time when compared with total knee replacement surgery.

The knee can be divided into three compartments: the medial compartment, the lateral compartment, and the patello-femoral compartment. The uni-compartmental implant is designed to replace either the medial or lateral compartment. The uni-compartmental knee replacement is a less invasive option for patients with knee arthritis that is isolated to either one compartment of the knee. This minimally invasive procedure provides several benefits to patients who have a moderately active lifestyle and are within normal weight ranges.

The procedure leaves a very small incision compared to a total knee replacement. There is no disruption of the muscles in the front of the knee which leads to more rapid rehabilitation. The procedure is often performed with no bone cuts and no cement. There is minimal blood loss in a partial knee replacement. The procedure causes less post-operative pain and requires greatly reduced hospitalization compared to a total knee replacement. There is also a reduced need for anesthesia and post-operative medication.

After the surgery, patients are able to walk and experience a faster rehabilitation and recovery. After achieving full recovery, most patients experience an increased range of motion when compared to total knee replacement.