Who is a candidate for a Partial Knee Replacement?
Partial Knee Replacements are indicated for select patients who have arthritis isolated to a single “compartment” of the knee. A knee has three main compartments, medially (inside), laterally (outside), and the patellofemoral compartment (under the kneecap). When only one compartment is “worn out” or arthritic, and the other two compartments still have their normal cartilage, a partial knee replacement is considered.
What is a Partial Knee Replacement?
The procedure is very similar to a total knee replacement, but we only replace the arthritic portion of the knee, usually on the inside (medial). We make small cuts off the ends of your bone, cutting away arthritic bone and leftover degenerative cartilage, usually only 7-10 mm or so around each surface of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). Personalized sizing is then determined and any bone deformities corrected.
Titanium components are then fixed to your bone with bone cement and a plastic liner is placed in-between. This plastic liner is your “new cartilage”. This provides a friction free, painless surface for you to walk and move your knee around.
Should I have a partial knee replacement or total knee replacement?
When you see Dr. Bremjit in the office, he will review your XRays and examine your knee. Based on this, together you can determine whether you are a candidate for a partial knee arthroplasty
Some patients who are candidates for a Partial Knee Replacement want to have the least amount of surgery necessary, and they receive a Partial Knee. These are great procedures, and generally tend to feel most like “your knee” - because most of it IS your knee!
Some patients prefer to just need one operation so they don’t have to worry about their knee and they prefer to have a Total Knee replacement. That’s OK too!
1. (Left) Partial Knee Replacement2. (Right) Total Knee Replacement
Frequently Asked Questions about Joint Replacement Surgery
For more information visit: https://hipknee.aahks.org/full-vs-partial-knee-replacement-whats-the-difference
