Partial Knee Replacement

Human beings use their knees in almost all of their daily activities. And if they suffer from pain in the knees, this could be very frustrating. Knee pain can occur for a variety of reasons. Of which, knee arthritis is the most common reason. The doctor can recommend a partial knee replacement surgery in cases where the patient is suffering from debilitating pain. Partial knee replacement surgery is also known as uni-compartmental knee surgery because it is different from a tradition total knee replacement surgery.

Partial knee replacement surgery and total knee replacement surgery

A partial knee replacement surgery is relatively less invasive than a traditional total knee replacement surgery. Partial knee replacement surgery could be a good option for patients suffering from knee arthritis and from knee injuries. This type of knee replacement surgery is preferred over the traditional total knee replacement surgery because it replaces only the damaged parts of the knee. The post operative hospital stay is also a very short period of one or two day as compared to a total knee replacement surgery. Patients have experienced a shorter recovery period in a partial knee replacement surgery.

Preoperative basic treatments

Since knee joint is considered to be the largest joint of the human body, the surgical treatment of a knee joint is also a significant treatment. Hence doctors may advise a number of other basic treatments before opting for a partial knee replacement surgery. A total knee replacement surgery lasts for more than fifteen years. The doctors therefore try to delay the surgery for as long as possible. A knee replacement surgery is not advised for young people because the knee implant would wear out after a period of fifteen years.

Arthroscopic technique for partial knee replacement

Arthroscopic technique is a new technique which has revolutionized the knee replacement surgery. Under an arthroscopic technique, an electronic camera is used to have an inside view of the knee joint which allows the surgeon to work with less number of incisions. Partial knee replacement surgery is the result of arthroscopic technique which allows the surgeon to perform the surgery with only partial cuts.

Benefits of partial knee replacement surgery

A partial knee replacement surgery is also known as uni-compartmental knee replacement. The primary benefit of a minimally invasive partial knee replacement surgery is the smaller incisions involved in this type of surgery. This type of knee replacement leaves only 3 to 4 inches of incisions as compared to 8 to 10 inches of incisions in a total knee replacement. Partial knee replacement surgery does not disrupt the knee cap which results into less blood loss and a faster recovery of the wound.

Recovery period after a partial knee replacement surgery

The rehabilitation period after a partial knee replacement surgery is relatively shorter and the patient can start walking within three to fours hours of the surgery. The range of motion of the leg is much better after the recovery period as compared to that of a total knee replacement surgery. Rehabilitation exercises should be followed by the patient in order to recover efficiently after the surgery.