Partial knee replacement: is it worth it?

Written by: Mr Dipen Menon
Published: | Updated: 09/05/2023
Edited by: Robert Smith

partial knee replacement is used to replace specific parts of the knee. It offers a wide range of benefits, such as the preservation of healthy bone and ligaments, as well as improved range of motion.

knees


We recently spoke with the highly experienced consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeonMr Dipen Menon, to discuss partial knee replacement. In this article, we look at how it’s carried out, what the benefits are, who is able to have it and how to tell if you’re going to need this procedure. We also discuss when total knee replacement might be necessary; read on to find out.
 

 

When is partial knee replacement performed?

Knee arthritis generally starts as cartilage damage affecting either the inside of the knee (medial), outside of the knee (lateral) or behind the knee cap (patella-femoral). This is called partial or unicompartmental knee arthritisPartial knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged tissue, cartilage and bone from just the affected part of the knee with an artificial implant. The rest of the knee is preserved and ligaments are left intact.
 

The use of partial knee replacement (over total knee replacement) offers many advantages. Partial knee replacement:

  • Results in knee function that is more physiological, this has been confirmed by many studies.
  • Allows for rapid recovery, the hospital stay is much shorter, and patients are better able to descend stairs.
  • There is decreased risk of thromboembolic events and less requirement for blood transfusion.
  • It preserves a better range of motion at the knee and revision (re-do) surgery is usually easier.
  • Since the surgery for partial knee replacement requires a smaller incision, there is generally an earlier return to better function and less post-operative pain.

 

 

Who is suitable for partial knee replacement?

The success of a partial knee replacement relies on an appropriate selection of patients. It is important that the arthritis is confined to only one side of the knee - inside or outside (medial or lateral tibio-femoral compartments) or is just behind the knee cap. If there is extensive cartilage damage in the other parts of the knee, then partial knee replacement is not recommended.
 

The anterior cruciate ligament plays a very important role in the successful function of a partial knee replacement and its integrity, therefore, is paramount before contemplating partial knee replacement surgery. There is a risk that loss of ACL function will lead to premature failure of implanted components. All patients who satisfy these criteria are offered a partial knee replacement.

partial knee replacement
Partial knee replacement 
Total knee replacement
Total knee replacement











 

 



When is total knee replacement necessary?

In a partial knee replacement, only the diseased medial or lateral tibiofemoral compartments of an isolated patellofemoral joint is replaced. In total knee replacement, both medial and lateral tibio-femoral joints are replaced with or without resurfacing of the patella. All patients who present with knee arthritis should be considered for partial knee replacement however, if they have any of the above contraindications, then total knee replacement is required. This generally means that the arthritis has progressed to other parts of the knee and/or the cruciate ligament is not working. In the United Kingdom, TKR is currently performed in more than 90 per cent of cases presenting with knee arthritis mirroring similar findings in other countries.
 

 

If you´re considering a knee replacement, we recommend getting in touch with an expert consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon such as Mr Menon. Visit his Top Doctors profile today for information on appointment availability.

By Mr Dipen Menon
Orthopaedic surgery

Mr Dipen Menon is a leading consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon in Kettering who holds a special interest in routine and complex primary hip and knee replacements, revision hip and knee replacements, arthroscopic knee surgery, ACL reconstruction and foot and ankle surgery.

Mr Menon graduated with his degree in Medicine from the University of Madras in Chennai, India in 1985. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (in General Surgery) in 1994. He trained on the West of Scotland (Glasgow) Orthopaedic Training Programme for 3 years from 1993. Between 1997 and 1999 Mr Menon undertook fellowships in Limb reconstruction at The Rowley Bristow Orthopaedic Unit, Chertsey, Surrey, Upper limb surgery at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Oswestry (Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence) and Hip, Knee & Revision Arthroplasty at The Wrightington Hospital for Joint Disease (International Orthopaedic centre of excellence). He became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Trauma and Orthopaedics thereafter. He subsequently completed his training as a Senior Registrar (Type I training programme) on the Wessex training programme in Portsmouth from 2002 to 2003. He was awarded his Certificate of Completion of Surgical Training (CCST) and entry into the Specialist Register in Trauma and Orthopaedics in May 2003.

Mr Menon has published his research in many peer-reviewed journals. He holds teaching and training responsibilities and also offers courses to GPs on hip and knee pathways, forefoot and hindfoot problems and in the early diagnosis of infected joint replacements.

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