What is a Partial Knee Replacement?

A partial knee replacement (unicompartmental knee arthroplasty) is a target procedure where only the specific diseased or arthritic compartment of the knee is resurfaced, leaving all healthy bone and natural ligaments intact.

Who is a good candidate for a partial knee replacement vs. a total knee replacement?

An ideal candidate has advanced osteoarthritis strictly confined to just one area of the knee (usually the medial or inside compartment), healthy knee ligaments (like a functional ACL), and hasn't found relief through non-surgical care.

Why do some patients prefer a partial knee resurfacing over a full replacement?

Because it preserves your natural ligaments, a partial knee replacement often results in a knee joint that feels more natural when bending. It is also associated with smaller incisions, less blood loss, and a faster overall recovery.

Partial Knee Replacement

Losing knee joint comfort and mobility to osteoarthritis can be distressing, especially if you enjoy sports and physical activity. Orthopedic surgeon Derek Farr, DO, offers partial knee replacement surgery at Twin Palm Orthopedics in Ocala, Florida. Dr Farr uses top tier Stryker Mako MCK implants to resurface the damaged compartment of the knee joint. Schedule your appointment by phone or request one online to learn more about partial knee replacement today.

What is partial knee replacement?

Partial knee replacement is a surgery to relieve knee arthritis with minimal trauma to surrounding healthy bone, cartilage, muscles, and ligaments. In preparation for the surgery, the Twin Palm Orthopedics team locates the damage in your knee from osteoarthritis. The arthritis can be in only 1-2 of the three compartments of your knee.

During the surgery, the team removes the damaged cartilage and only a small portion of bone in a compartment of the knee joint, leaving the rest of the joint intact, and replaces it with Mako MCK partial knee implants. The implant has a sleek design made to look and function like the natural part of your knee. The procedure is performed with the Mako robotic arm and executed with high precision for fit and function.

The team at Twin Palm Orthopedics can use robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques to place your partial knee implant, which allows for a faster recovery and longer lasting implant. Minimally invasive surgeries use smaller incisions and have lower recovery times. The surgery is performed in less than an hour and patients return home the same day. Recovery is often in a little as 6-8 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need a partial knee replacement?

Partial knee replacement is a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. There are several nonsurgical treatment options to consider before having surgery.

If your osteoarthritis knee pain persists after trying other approaches like anti-inflammatory medications, injection therapy, bracing, and physical therapy, then a partial knee replacement surgery might be a necessary next step for your treatment.

The Twin Palm Orthopedics team uses partial knee replacement to treat osteoarthritis in the:

Medial knee compartment

Your medial knee compartment is the part of the joint on the inner knee; osteoarthritis most commonly affects this compartment.

Lateral knee compartment

The lateral knee compartment is located on the outer side of the knee. Osteoarthritis damage in this compartment is less common than osteoarthritis damage in the medial compartment but can still benefit from partial knee replacement surgery.

Anterior compartment

The Anterior compartment is located behind your knee cap ( patella). Osteoarthritis damage can occur in this compartment from a fall, trauma or just happen over time. The anterior compartment is often the cause of popping and anterior knee pain associated with sitting and climbing stairs.

What should I expect during the recovery period after partial knee replacement?

Since partial knee replacement is a minimally invasive surgery and involves less trauma to surrounding structures than traditional total knee replacement, the recovery time is shorter. You’ll start moving your knee right after surgery and take part in physical therapy in the recovery area and continue when you arrive home to rehabilitate the knee.

Physical therapy continues for several weeks after your surgery. It takes about six to eight weeks to restore your knee’s function in its entirety.

The Twin Palm Orthopedics team advises that once rehabilitated you may return to all normal and sporting activities.

If you have knee osteoarthritis and want to learn more about partial knee replacement surgery, book an appointment by phone or request one online at Twin Palm Orthopedics today.