Partial Knee Replacement
What is Partial Knee Replacement?
Unicompartmental knee replacement is a minimally invasive surgery in which only the damaged compartment of the knee is replaced with an implant. It is also called a partial knee replacement.
The knee can be divided into three compartments: patellofemoral, the compartment in front of the knee between the kneecap and thighbone, the medial compartment, on the inside portion of the knee, and lateral compartment which is the area on the outside portion of the knee joint.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint that causes pain, swelling (inflammation) and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis, in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. It most often affects older people. In a normal joint, articular cartilage allows for smooth movement within the joint, whereas in an arthritic knee the cartilage itself becomes thinner or completely absent. In addition, the bones become thicker around the edges of the joint and may form bony spurs. These factors can cause pain and restricted range of motion in the joint.
How is Arthritis Diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose osteoarthritis based on your medical history, physical examination, and X-rays. X-rays typically show a narrowing of joint space in the arthritic knee.
What are the Indications for Unicompartmental Knee Replacement?
Traditionally, total knee replacement was commonly indicated for severe osteoarthritis of the knee. In total knee replacement, all worn out or damaged surfaces of the knee joint are removed and replaced with new artificial parts. Partial knee replacement is a surgical option if your arthritis is confined to a single compartment of your knee.
Your doctor may also recommend surgery if non-surgical treatment options such as medications, injections, and physical therapy have failed to relieve the symptoms.
Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group
Dr. Economedes is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement, adult joint reconstruction, and arthritis care. Fellowship trained in Adult Joint Reconstruction at Rush University Medical Center, he provides comprehensive treatment for joint pain and mobility issues. Dr. Economedes is committed to helping patients regain function and improve quality of life through personalized care and advanced surgical techniques.
How is Unicompartmental Knee Replacement Surgery Performed?
During the surgery, a small incision is made over the knee to expose the knee joint. Your surgeon will remove only the damaged part of the meniscus and place the implant into the bone by slightly shaping the shinbone and the thighbone. The plastic component is placed into the newly prepared area and secured with bone cement. Now, the damaged region of the femur or thighbone is removed to accommodate the new metal component, which is fixed in place using bone cement. Once the femoral and tibial components are fixed in proper place the knee is taken through a range of movements. The muscles and tendons are then repaired and the incision is closed.
What Does Postoperative Care for Unicompartmental Knee Replacement Involve?
You may walk with the help of a walker or cane for the first 1-2 weeks after surgery. A physical therapist will introduce you to an exercise program to follow for 4 to 6 months to help maintain range of motion and restore your strength. You may perform exercises such as walking, swimming, and biking but high impact activities such as jogging should be avoided.
What are the Risks and Complications of Unicompartmental Knee Replacement?
The possible risks and complications associated with unicompartmental knee replacement include:
- Knee stiffness
- Infection
- Blood clots (Deep vein thrombosis)
- Nerve and blood vessel damage
- Ligament injuries
- Patella (kneecap) dislocation
- Wearing of the plastic liner
- Loosening of the implant
What are the Advantages of Unicompartmental Knee Replacement?
The advantages of unicompartmental knee replacement over total knee replacement include:
- Smaller incision
- Less blood loss
- Quick recovery
- Less postoperative pain
- Better overall range of motion
- Feels more like a natural knee
Why Choose Dr. Economedes for Partial Knee Replacement in Cary, Holly Springs & Morrisville, NC?
Choosing the right orthopaedic surgeon is an important step when considering knee replacement. Dr. Demetri M. Economedes, D.O. specializes in hip and knee joint replacement and has advanced fellowship training in adult joint reconstruction from Rush University in Chicago. He is also certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Fellowship-Trained Joint Replacement Specialist
Dr. Economedes focuses on hip and knee reconstruction and joint replacement, giving patients access to specialized expertise when evaluating advanced knee arthritis and determining whether partial or total knee replacement is appropriate.
Personalized Treatment Planning
Partial knee replacement is not appropriate for every patient with knee arthritis. Dr. Economedes considers the location and severity of cartilage damage, knee stability, alignment, symptoms, activity level, and overall health when developing an individualized treatment plan.
Advanced Knee Replacement Options
Dr. Economedes specializes in modern joint replacement techniques, including partial knee replacement, total knee replacement, minimally invasive joint replacement, and revision procedures.
Convenient Triangle-Area Locations
Patients can access Dr. Economedes' orthopaedic care in Cary, Holly Springs & Morrisville, NC, making specialized knee replacement evaluation convenient for patients throughout the Triangle area.
Focus on Restoring Mobility
The goal of partial knee replacement is not simply to replace damaged cartilage. Treatment is designed to relieve arthritis-related pain, preserve as much of the natural knee as possible when appropriate, and help patients return to comfortable movement and everyday activities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Partial Knee Replacement
Partial knee replacement, also called unicompartmental knee replacement, is a procedure that replaces only the damaged compartment of the knee. The knee has three compartments, and partial replacement may be considered when arthritis is confined primarily to one compartment.
Patients with arthritis limited to a single compartment of the knee may be candidates for partial knee replacement. Your surgeon will evaluate your symptoms, imaging, knee stability, alignment, and overall condition before recommending this procedure.
Partial knee replacement replaces only the damaged compartment of the knee, while total knee replacement replaces the damaged surfaces of the knee more extensively. Partial knee replacement may offer a faster recovery and a more natural-feeling knee for appropriately selected patients. Dr. Economedes has specifically discussed that partial knee replacement can provide a shorter recovery when performed for the appropriate indications.
Recovery varies from patient to patient. Many patients begin walking with assistance soon after surgery and progressively increase activity as healing and strength improve. Your recovery plan will depend on your individual health, surgical findings, and rehabilitation progress.
Many patients can return to lower-impact activities after recovery, depending on their surgeon's recommendations. Activities such as walking, cycling, and swimming may be appropriate, while high-impact activities may need to be limited to protect the knee implant.
Partial knee replacement generally involves replacing less of the knee and may involve a smaller surgical approach than total knee replacement. Whether it is appropriate depends on the pattern and severity of arthritis and other individual factors.
Dr. Economedes provides hip and knee orthopaedic care in Cary, Holly Springs & Morrisville, NC, North Carolina.
Consider an orthopaedic evaluation if persistent knee pain, stiffness, swelling, or reduced mobility is interfering with walking, stairs, exercise, sleep, or everyday activities despite conservative treatment. An evaluation can help determine whether continued nonsurgical care, partial knee replacement, total knee replacement, or another treatment is appropriate.
Find Out If Partial Knee Replacement Is Right for You
If knee arthritis is limiting your mobility or keeping you from the activities you enjoy, you may have treatment options. Dr. Demetri M. Economedes provides specialized partial knee replacement and joint replacement care in Cary, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and surrounding Triangle communities.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your knee pain, review your treatment options, and determine whether partial knee replacement may be appropriate for your condition.