
The knee consists of several parts, including the medial (inside) section, outside (lateral) section, and kneecap. If only one or two of these components are damaged, a partial knee replacement can repair the joint. Like other joint replacement procedures, partial knee surgery should only be used as a last resort when more conservative options fail.
Partial knee replacement is most often recommended for patients with early-stage osteoarthritis – before the disease has a chance to spread. Arthritis that has spread to three or more parts of the knee requires total knee replacement surgery.
You may be a candidate for partial knee surgery if you meet the following criteria:
Compared to total knee replacement, partial knee replacements is more precise and preserves more range of motion for the joint. It leaves healthy knee tissue intact, removing only the damaged and diseased portions. This leads to less blood loss during the surgery and a faster recovery.
You should be able to start moving your knee immediately after the surgery. Full function is expected to return over the following weeks as the pain subsides. During physical therapy, you will spend several weeks easing the knee back into normal function. Most patients are back to an active lifestyle in approximately six to eight weeks. Although some activities like running may be too strenuous even after your recovery, partial knee replacement still allows you to engage in activities such as tennis, skiing, and other sports.