During knee replacement surgery, damaged bone and cartilage is resurfaced with metal and plastic components. In partial knee replacement only a portion of the knee is resurfaced. This procedure is an alternative to total knee replacement for patients whose disease is limited to just one area of the knee. Patients have this procedure done as an outpatient and return to normal activities sooner than total knee replacement patients. There are a range of treatments for knee osteoarthritis and your doctor will discuss with you the options that will best relieve your individual osteoarthritis symptoms.
In partial knee replacement, only one area of the knee is resurfaced.
In knee osteoarthritis, the cartilage protecting the bones of the knee slowly wears away. This can occur throughout the knee joint or just in a single area of the knee.
Your knee is divided into three major compartments:
- Medial compartment (the inside part of the knee)
- Lateral compartment (the outside part)
- Patellofemoral compartment (the front of the knee between the kneecap and thighbone)
Advanced osteoarthritis that is limited to a single compartment may be treated with a partial knee replacement. During this procedure, the damaged compartment is replaced with metal and plastic. The healthy cartilage and bone, as well as all of the ligaments are preserved.
Advantages of Partial Knee Replacement
Multiple studies show that a majority of patients who are appropriate candidates for the procedure have good results with partial knee replacement.
The advantages of partial knee replacement over total knee replacement include:
- Quicker recovery
- Less pain after surgery
- Less blood loss
Also, because the bone, cartilage, and ligaments in the healthy parts of the knee are kept, many patients report that a partial knee replacement feels more natural than a total knee replacement. A partial knee may also bend better.
Disadvantages of Partial Knee Replacement
The disadvantages of partial knee replacement compared with total knee replacement include:
- Slightly less predictable pain relief
- Potential need for more surgery. For example, a total knee replacement may be necessary in the future if arthritis develops in the parts of the knee that have not been replaced.
- An advantage of partial knee replacement over total knee replacement is that healthy parts of the knee are preserved, which helps to maintain more “natural” function of the knee.
Candidates for Surgery
If your osteoarthritis has advanced and nonsurgical treatment options are no longer relieving your symptoms, your doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery. In order to be a candidate for partial knee replacement, your arthritis must be limited to one compartment of your knee. In addition, if you have any of the following characteristics, you may not be eligible for the procedure:
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Significant knee stiffness
- Ligament damage
With proper patient selection, modern partial knee replacements have demonstrated excellent medium- and long-term results in both younger and older patients.
A thorough evaluation with an orthopedic surgeon will determine whether you are a good candidate for a partial knee replacement.
Your doctor will ask you several questions about your general health, your knee pain, and your ability to function.
Location of pain.
He or she will be specifically concerned with the location of your pain. If your pain is located almost entirely on either the inside portion or outside portion of your knee, then you may be a candidate for a partial knee replacement. If you have pain throughout your entire knee or pain in the front of your knee (under your kneecap) you may be better qualified for a total knee replacement.
Your doctor will closely examine your knee. He or she will try to determine the location of your pain. Your doctor will also test your knee for range of motion and ligament quality. If your knee is too stiff, or if the ligaments in your knee feel weak or torn, then your doctor will probably not recommend partial knee replacement (although you still may be a great candidate for total knee replacement).
- X-rays. These images help to determine the extent of damage and deformity in your knee. Your doctor will order several x-rays of your knee to see the pattern of arthritis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Some surgeons may also order an MRI scan to better evaluate the cartilage.
Your surgery will be performed as an outpatient. Before your procedure, a doctor from the anesthesia department will discuss anesthesia choices with you. You should also have discussed anesthesia choices with your surgeon during your preoperative clinic visits. Anesthesia options include:
- General anesthesia (you are put to sleep)
- Spinal (you are awake but your body is numb from the waist down)
Your surgeon will also see you before surgery and sign your knee to verify the surgical site.
A partial knee replacement operation typically lasts between 30-60 minutes.
Inspection of the joint.
Your surgeon will make an incision at the front of your knee. He or she will then explore the three compartments of your knee to verify that the cartilage damage is, in fact, limited to one compartment and that your ligaments are intact. If your surgeon feels that your knee is unsuitable for a partial knee replacement, he or she may instead perform a total knee replacement. This contingency plan will have been discussed with you before your operation to make sure that you agree with this strategy. X-rays of a good candidate for partial knee replacement. (Left) Severe osteoarthritis limited to the medial compartment. (Right) The same knee after partial knee replacement.
Partial knee replacement. There are three basic steps in the procedure:
- Prepare the bone. Your surgeon will use special saws to remove the cartilage from the damaged compartment of your knee.
- Position the metal implants. The removed cartilage and bone are replaced with metal coverings that recreate the surface of the joint. These metal parts are typically held to the bone with cement.
- Insert a spacer. A plastic insert is placed between the two metal components to create a smooth gliding surface.
After the surgery you will be taken to the recovery room, where you will be closely monitored by nurses as you recover from the anesthesia. You will be discharged 2-3 hours later.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with partial knee replacement. Your surgeon will discuss each of the risks with you and will take specific measures to help avoid potential complications. Although rare, the most common risks include:
- Blood clots. Blood clots (DVT) can form in the deep veins of the legs or pelvis after surgery. Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), low-molecular-weight heparin, and aspirin can help prevent this problem. Newer blood thinners, such as apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto), may also be prescribed by your doctor, depending upon your needs. We typically use aspirin for DVT prevention.
- Infection. After surgery an infection may occur in the skin over the wound or deep in the wound. You will be given antibiotics before and after your surgery.
- Injury to nerves or vessels. Although it rarely happens, nerves or blood vessels may be injured or stretched during the procedure. Most people will experience persistent numbness lateral to the incision that will continue to improve up to a year after your surgery.
- Continued pain
- Risks of anesthesia
- Need for additional surgery
Partial knee replacement patients usually experience less postoperative pain, less swelling, and have easier rehabilitation than patients undergoing total knee replacement. Patients go home the day of the surgery.
After surgery, you will feel some pain, but your surgeon and nurses will make every effort to help you feel as comfortable as possible. Many types of medicines are available to help control pain, including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anesthetics. Treating pain with medication can help you feel more comfortable, which will help your body heal and recover from surgery faster. Opioids can provide excellent pain relief; however, they are a narcotic and can be addictive. It is important to use opioids only as directed by your doctor. You should stop taking these medications as soon as your pain starts to improve.
You will begin putting weight on your knee immediately after surgery. You may need a walker, cane, or crutches for the first several days or weeks until you become comfortable enough to walk without assistance.
Following your instructions for exercise will help maintain your range of motion and restore your strength after surgery.
You will continue to see your orthopedic surgeon for follow-up visits in his or her clinic at regular intervals. You will most likely resume all of your regular activities of daily living by 6 weeks after surgery.