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.
Candidates for Partial Knee Replacement
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:
Your pain has not improved with medication, physical therapy, or other
conservative treatments
You have trouble moving your knee and experience daily pain
The anterior cruciate ligament is still intact and uninjured
Only one or two parts of the knee have been damaged by injury or arthritis
Benefits of Partial Knee Replacement
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.
Expected Results
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.
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