Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
A partial knee replacement is surgery to replace part of your knee joint. It’s a type of procedure called an arthroplasty (joint replacement).
A surgeon will remove damaged sections of your knee joint and replace them with an artificial joint (a prosthesis) made of metal and plastic.
There are three compartments in your knee joint:
- The medial compartment (the inside section).
- The lateral compartment (the outside section).
- The patellofemoral compartment (the area under your kneecap — your patella).
Surgeons perform partial knee replacements on the medial and lateral compartments.
What conditions are treated with a partial knee replacement?
Arthritis is the most common condition that causes people to need partial knee replacement surgery. Most people who choose to have a partial knee replacement have osteoarthritis. A healthcare provider might recommend a partial knee replacement if you have severe symptoms that don’t get better after trying nonsurgical treatments, including:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Limited mobility (trouble moving your knee)
- Swelling
How common is partial knee replacement surgery?
Total knee replacements are more common than partial knee replacements because most people with knee arthritis have it in all three knee compartments at once.
What does a knee replacement look like?
The prosthetic parts we use during a knee replacement will look very similar to your original knee. Instead of bone and cartilage, the prosthetic joint is made of metal and plastic. It’s made to replicate the shape, size and function of a natural knee joint.
What are the benefits of a partial knee replacement?
Partial knee replacement is a safe, effective way to relieve long-term symptoms like pain and stiffness. People who have partial knee replacements usually regain mobility and have an increased quality of life.
Partial knee replacements also usually have a much faster recovery time than total knee replacements.
How long does a partial knee replacement last?
Many people who have a partial knee replacement live with their prosthetic pieces for a long time (usually 10 years or longer).
Some people who have a partial knee replacement may need a total knee replacement in the future if arthritis starts affecting their other knee compartments.
