With a growing population of aging Baby Boomers, knee replacements are becoming one of the most common orthopedic surgeries across the country. While many people opt for a total knee replacement, partial knee replacements can also offer numerous benefits for patients who qualify.
What is a Partial Knee Replacement?
Partial knee replacements replace just one part of the knee joint, most often on the medial side (inside) of the knee. As we walk and stand, most of our stress and weight goes to the side of the knee, so it tends to wear out the fastest.
Because only one part of the knee is removed and replaced, it is a much smaller operation—which means less pain and a faster recovery. Though the surgery itself takes about the same amount of time due to the delicacy of the operation, recovery can be up to twice as fast than with a total knee replacement. Instead of a couple of months to regain function in the knee, it takes just a few weeks.
In addition to the faster recovery, partial replacements often feel more natural than total replacements. Patients report that their knee feels the same as it did before as they walk, squat, or stand.
Changes to pain management also make partial knee replacements less painful than in the past. Nerve blocks, localized drugs and anesthesia, and injectable anti-inflammatory medicines work together to help you get up and moving just hours after your procedure.
Who Qualifies for Surgery?
Unfortunately, not all patient qualify for a partial knee replacement. If you have arthritis in other areas of your knee, a partial knee replacement is unlikely to provide long-term pain relief.
You also won’t benefit if you have significant knee deformities, like being knock-knee or bow-legged. A partial knee replacement won’t be enough to fix these deformities, so your joint will continue to wear out.
A partial knee replacement also won’t help you if you have damage to ligaments in the knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You’ll need a total knee replacement to address these concerns.
If your knee pain is disrupting your quality of life, you should also meet with an orthopedic surgeon to discuss your replacement options. With X-ray imaging and other diagnostic techniques, your doctor can help you decide what type of replacement surgery is right for you.