I perform a lot of partial and total knee replacements. The knee joint really has 3 separate articulations (medial or inner, lateral or outer, and anterior/front). Total knee replacement resurfaces all 3 of these compartments (the entire/total knee joint). A partial knee replacement resurfaces only 1 of these 3 compartments. For this reason, partial knee replacement is a smaller operation. It is less invasive than a total knee replacement, and the recovery is almost always easier, quicker, and less painful.
Who Is a Candidate?
This procedure is ideal for individuals with arthritis confined to one knee compartment and stable ligaments. Many patients with knee arthritis are candidates, but there is a lot to think about. I frequently discuss the pros and cons of partial versus total knee replacements, and really it is a mutual decision we make based on age, bone quality, arthritis pattern, your goals and priorities, and a number of technical factors I consider as a knee and hip sub specialist. I also completely appreciate, and actually urge you to ask any doctor you see when facing a decision, ask, “what would you do if you were me?” I WILL give you an answer!
What to Expect from Surgery
The surgery itself takes less than an hour. It is incredibly rare for any partial knee patient to not leave the surgery center a few hours after the operation, after walking the halls and up and down a small set of stairs.
Please see my video on knee replacement for information about partial and total knee replacement here.
Come see me if your hip or knee hurts and we can discuss options!
Many videos on my site, www.GonduskyMD.com, will help you learn about possible diagnoses and treatment.
Look at James after his partial knee replacement