Partial knee replacement is a surgery performed to only replace a damaged part of the knee, it is sometimes referred to as Unicompartmental knee replacement. In this, the damaged tissue and bone in the knee joint are replaced with the artificial implants called prosthetics and the rest of the knee remains unharmed and preserved. This surgery involves smaller incisions and requires less healing time.
Your orthopaedic doctor will ask some general health and knee pain related specific questions. The doctor will be able to diagnose knee problems from the symptoms and physical examination of the knee that will include a maximum range of motion, ligament stability, tenderness and swelling.
The doctor may order imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI, CT scan and Ultrasound for viewing injuries in ligaments, tendons, muscles and cartilage. Lab tests may be required in some cases, to check for any kind of infection and cause of inflammation
Partial knee replacement is a minimally invasive knee surgery which involves smaller incisions than traditional knee surgery. It decreases the amount of post-operative pain and shortens the rehabilitation period.
Surgeons perform partial knee replacement surgeries on patients who are under below 65 years and have plenty of healthy bone remaining.
General anaesthesiais administered in the patient’s body for making the procedure pain-free. A cut of about 3 to 5 inches is made and the damaged bone tissues are removed. An artificial implant is placed into the knee and attached with the bone cement. The wounds are closed with stitches.
It is an out-patient procedure and has a faster recovery rate compared to total knee replacement surgery.
The surgery usually takes one to two hours and involves minimal invasion.
Partial knee replacement surgery is not for everyone This minimally-invasive knee replacement surgery treats only certain knee problems.Patients with inflammatory arthritis and diffuse arthritis throughout the knee are not advised for receiving partial knee surgery.
Patients who have partial knee surgery are likely to experience minimal pain that can be controlled with pain medications. Recovery can be fastened by practising regular physical exercises. Patients are encouraged to walk and bear as much weight on the leg as they are comfortable.
There are numerous advantages of partial knee replacement but also a few disadvantages
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Minimally Invasive | Risk of implants wearing out |
| Quick Recovery | Potential for additional surgery if arthritis develops in other parts of the knee. |
| Minimal Discomfort | |
| Natural knee motion | |
| No long-term activity restrictions | |
| Low complications related to total knee replacement | |
| All ligaments are retained |
MOH License Number : RT33524 - 08/06/2024
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