Partial Knee Replacement

Partial Knee Replacement
Partial knee replacement simply means that only a part of the knee joint is replaced through a smaller incision than would normally be used for a total knee replacement.

Advantages

  • Smaller operation
  • Smaller incision
  • Not as much bone removed
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Shorter recovery period
  • Blood transfusion rarely required

Surgical Procedure

Each knee is individual and knee replacements take this into account by having different sizes for your knee. If there is more than the usual amount of bone loss sometimes extra pieces of metal or bone are added.

Surgery is performed under sterile conditions in the operating room under spinal or general anaesthesia. You will be on your back and a tourniquet applied to your upper thigh to reduce blood loss. Surgery will take between one- two hours.

The Patient is positioned on the operating table and the leg prepped with antiseptic and draped with surgical drapes.

A tourniquet is applied to the upper thigh and the leg is prepared for the surgery with a sterilizing solution.
An incision around 7 cm is made to expose the knee joint.

The bone ends of the femur and tibia are prepared using a saw or a burr.

Trial components are then inserted to make sure they fit properly.

The real components (Femoral & Tibial) are then put into place with or without cement.

The knee is then carefully closed and drains may be inserted, and the knee dressed and bandaged.

Post-operation Care

Usually you will remain in the hospital for 1-3 days. Depending on your needs, you will then return home. You will need physiotherapy on your knee following surgery. You will be discharged on a walker or crutches and usually progress to a stick at six weeks. The bend in your knee is variable, but by 6 weeks it should bend to 90 degrees. The goal is to obtain 110-115 degrees of movement by 6 weeks. Once the wound is healed, you may shower. You can drive at about 6 weeks, once you have regained control of your leg. You should be walking reasonably comfortably by 6 weeks. More physical activities, such as sports previously discussed may take 3 months to be able to do comfortably.

When you go home you need to take special precautions around the house to make sure it is safe. You may need rails in your bathroom or to modify your sleeping arrangements especially if your bed is up a lot of stairs.
You will usually have a 6 week check with your surgeon, who will assess your progress. You may continue to see your surgeon during your recovery and Xrays may be requested.

If you have any unexplained pain, swelling, or redness or if you feel generally unwell, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

Risks and Complications

As with any major surgery, there are potential risks involved and may include:

  • Surgical site infection
  • Blood Clots (Deep Venous Thrombosis)
  • Fractures in the Bone
  • Stiffness in the Knee
  • Wear of implants
  • Wound Irritation or Breakdown
  • Cosmetic Appearance
  • Leg length inequality
  • Dislocation
  • Patella Problems
  • Ligament Injuries
  • Damage to Nerves and Blood Vessels
  • Progression of disease

Discuss your concerns thoroughly with your surgeon prior to surgery.

RCS Logo British Orthopaedic AssociationRoyal College of Surgeons of EdinburghOTSISBritish Association for knee surgeryISOAMDU LogoOTSIS

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