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How Does a Knee Partial Replacement Differ From A Total Knee Replacement?

A knee partial replacement is performed for patients who have arthritis localized to one specific section of their knee. This means that only one section of the knee joint is replaced using a significantly smaller incision than would be seen used for a total knee replacement.

The knee as a whole is one joint comprised of 3 compartments. These are: (1) the patellofemoral joint (knee cap joint), (2) inner compartment (medial) and (3) outer compartment (lateral). The medial and lateral compartments making up the major components of the knee is the articulation or movement between the femur and tibia (the thigh bone and the shin bone). Often only one of these sections becomes arthritic – usually the medial or inner side. If your pain is from one part of the knee only and x-ray confirms isolated arthritis in that part of the joint then you may be a suitable candidate for a knee partial replacement. Due to the fact there may be many reasons that you may not be suitable for a knee partial replacement it is very important that you be evaluated by the orthopaedic surgeon.

Is Knee Partial Replacement Surgery at Your Cary, Raleigh or Garner Offices My Only Choice?

As with most arthritic conditions, all treatments short of knee partial replacement surgery should be investigated: For example; weight loss, pain medicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, activity modification concentrating on being involved in only those that do not cause pain in the knee.

A surgical technique called High Tibial Osteotomy (cutting the lower leg bone and realigning it) is a technique that creates a mechanical change in the weight bearing forces to shift to a healthier part of the joint, thus providing pressure and pain relief.

Total Knee Replacement – you may refer to the section of our website which outlines this surgical procedure in detail.

How is a Unicompartmental Arthroplasty performed?

A cut approximately 8cm long is made on the front of the knee to open the joint. The arthritic lining of the knee is removed and is replaced with a metal component ‘cemented’ to the femur and the tibia. A special plastic insert is placed between these metal pieces to produce an artificial joint. This procedure has been done with success for many years through a much larger incision with much more trauma to the knee. More recently it has become possible to perform unicompartmental arthroplasty through a much smaller incision, allowing the knee to recover faster.

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages
Of Knee Partial Replacement Compared To A Total Knee Replacement?

The Advantages Of Unicompartmental Arthroplasty
• Much less surgery performed for unicompartmental arthroplasty
• Much smaller incision made
• Decreased length of hospital stay
• Lessened recovery period
• Less likely to need blood transfusion
• Range of motion in the knee is greater
• Sensation is more like a normal knee
• Can convert from knee partial replacement to a total knee replacement in the future in the event pain is not alleviated
• Higher post operative level of activity for knee partial replacement as compared to a total knee replacement
 

The Disadvantages

• Less reliable than a total knee replacement in completely alleviating all pain
• Requires a very selective group of patients with very specific condition
 

How Do You Determine Who Is Suitable?

• Over 50 years of age
• Only one compartment of the knee is involved clinically and on x-ray
• Normal knee stability
• Pain interfering with quality of life
 

What Patient Is Not Suitable?

• Patients that have been diagnosed with multi-compartmental arthritic involvement
• Patients with severe deformity at the knee
• Patients diagnosed with a type of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Patients diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament creating knee instability
• Patients that have undergone a previous High Tibial Osteotomy
• Patients required to resume heavy work duties or contact sports

For more information on how the knee partial replacement specialists at Cary Orthopaedics can help you, contact us today at 919-467-4992 for an appointment !

Cary Orthopaedics serves patients from Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro, NC.