Advantages Of Partial Knee Replacement Over Total Knee Replacement

Knee pain is experienced by approximately 1 in every 5 adults, with many noticing a severity level that could make even the performance of routine activities extremely difficult. There can be many reasons for knee pain such as fractures, gout, ligament sprains and strains, arthritis, and excess body weight.

 

The commonest reason being degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis of knee joint which can start developing in any of the three knee components (the medial compartment, the lateral compartment, and patellofemoral joint).

 

When Osteoarthritis is limited to a single compartment (commonest is medial compartment ) then it can be treated with partial knee replacement surgery where only the affected compartment is replaced ,as compared to conventional technique where all three compartments are replaced.

 

Table Of Contents

 

Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye

 

1. Partial Knee Replacement and Total knee replacement: The Difference
2. What are the advantages of partial knee replacement over total knee replacement?
3. Outcome and Recovery of partial knee replacement

Take Away

1. Partial Knee Replacement and Total knee replacement: The Difference

Partial knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty and unicondylar knee replacement, can be described as a highly precise and minimally-invasive surgical procedure in which only the damaged or diseased portions of the knee joints are removed.

 

The surgeon replaces the portions to be removed with custom-fit prosthetic parts that are made of high-grade, durable materials (metal, plastic, etc.). There are three types of partial knee replacement surgeries: bicompartmental, unicompartmental, and patellofemoral. The surgeon will recommend the appropriate form of partial knee replacement surgery based on the severity of symptoms and location of the pain.

 

Bicompartmental Partial Knee Replacement

 

This procedure is done in patients when arthritis is limited to two major compartments and two of the three compartments (medial, lateral or patellofemoral ) are replaced with preservation of the third compartment .

 

Patellofemoral Partial Knee Replacement

 

This is another common type of partial knee replacement that involves the complete replacement of the diseases or injured patella and the trochlea in the knee.

 

Unicompartmental Partial Knee Replacement

 

Also alternatively known as unicondylar knee replacement, this procedure involves the excision of the diseased compartment of the knee, generally involving the medial or the lateral compartment.

 

Who is a candidate for Partial Knee Replacement?

 

Patients with lateral, medial, or knee osteoarthritis may be considered as ideal candidates for partial knee replacement. "Lateral" refers to the outside compartment of the knee that is farthest from the opposite knee. "Medial" refers to the joint's inside compartment, that is the compartment closed to the opposite knee. Degeneration of the medial knee joint is the most common form of arthritis deformity.

You might have to undergo partial knee replacement if:

• You are diagnosed with osteoarthritis damage involving wearing out of the cartilage restricted to a single compartment.
• You are struggling with pain in activities of daily living.

 

Other factors to consider:

• Patients may decide to choose partial knee replacement if their knee pain persists despite them maintaining a healthy weight and taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Your doctor will ask you to disclose the area of knee pain and will then check the stability and range of motion of the knee. An X-ray of the knee may be recommended for ascertaining the patient's eligibility for partial knee replacement.
• The patient must have a sufficient range of knee motion, an intact anterior cruciate ligament, a stable knee, and damage to only one compartment. The doctor will also consider the angulation of the deformity.
• The doctor with examine the patient and decide whether the patient fits in the criteria for partial knee replacement and this surgery is going to benefit him .

 

The ideal patients for Partial Knee Replacement are those older than 60 years, less active, have minimal deformity, less than 180 lbs, and have good range of motion before surgery.

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery versus Full Knee Replacement Surgery

In a partial knee replacement surgery, the surgeon removes either the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) knee joint compartments and replaces them with artificial parts. In a total knee replacement surgery, the entire joint is removed and replaced by the surgeon with an artificial joint.

Surgery complications such as blood clots, loss, and transfusion tend to be less with partial knee replacement surgeries when compared to full knee replacement surgeries. Patients who undergo full knee replacement (or total knee replacement) surgeries usually experience a tougher physical therapy regimen. Full knee replacement is also a complicated and costly procedure when compared to partial knee replacement surgery.

2. What are the advantages of partial knee replacement over total knee replacement?

Some of the biggest advantages of partial knee replacement over total knee replacement include:

• Minimally invasive procedure
• Less tissue trauma
• Reduced postoperative pain
• Preservation of all healthy bones and ligaments
• Reduced blood loss
• Improved range of motion in the knee
• Faster rehabilitation and recovery

 

3. Outcome and Recovery of Partial Knee Replacement

The success rate of partial knee replacement surgeries is approximately 90-95 percent. The recovery and healing timeline is different for each patient and it is dependent upon factors such as the type of partial knee replacement surgery, the general and overall health of the patient, the success rate of the hospital/clinic, the expertise and experience of the surgeon, the type of implant, etc.

 

• Patients are generally discharged 1-3 days after the surgery, depending on the comfort level of the patient .
• Even after the surgery, the patient has to walk using crutches until the surgeon advises off of it. The duration generally depends on how quickly the quadriceps regain their strength after the surgery.
• The overall recovery after the surgery can generally take between 3-6 weeks, between which the patient has to undergo physical therapy to strengthen the knee joint and its functions.

 

Week 1

• Full weight bearing which starts from the next day of the surgery
• Regain partial motion in the knee, less than 90 degrees
• Quadriceps and hamstrings strengthening exercises

 

Week 2-4

• Enhanced range of motions, more than 90 degrees motion
• Get back to light range of exercises, as advised by physical therapist
• Reduced pain

 

Week 4-6

• Further strength in knees, especially with flexible movements involving the knee
• Walk downstairs with advise
• Passive range of motions over 120 degrees

The patient should be able to get back to all kinds of routine activities in 3 months after the surgery, however, the recovery timeline is generally dependent on the patient’s healing and how well their body responds to physical therapy and other treatments. It is always crucial that you follow the doctor’s instructions without fail.

Takeaway

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with severe knee pain and looking for specialised assistance with Partial Knee Replacement Surgery, you may reach out to Joint and Bone Solutions, the most trusted clinic for Partial Knee Replacement Surgery in Gurgaon NCR. The expert team of knee specialists at Joint and Bone Solutions would recommend the most suitable implant for you after a comprehensive evaluation based on your joint health, age, preferences, and activity levels.

 

Find out more about Joint and Bone Solutions, the most reputed and successful clinic for Partial Knee Replacement Surgery in Gurgaon or schedule an appointment to access the best Partial Knee Replacement Surgery with Joint & Bone Solutions.