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Partial Knee Replacement

Knee Treatments

What is a Partial Knee Replacement?

Partial Knee Replacement is a procedure that removes the bone and cartilage of the knee that has been damaged due to arthritis and replaces them with metal and plastic components. These components mimic the anatomy and function of a healthy knee so that you can return to activities without the pain caused by arthritis.

This procedure differs from a Total Knee Replacement in that only the damaged bones of the knee are removed and replaced. In many cases, arthritis will only affect one side (also known as a “compartment”) of the knee and therefore only that compartment needs to be replaced and the undamaged portion of the knee can remain intact.

The procedure is one of the most well-known and most effective in orthopaedic surgery because it dramatically improves knee pain and quality of life.

The Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons at OSS Health have performed thousands of Partial Knee Replacements and are experts of this procedure using the latest advancements in surgical techniques for Partial Knee Replacement. We have also been named as one of the Top 100 Hospitals for Joint Replacement in the country by Healthgrades and have been the recipients of the Excellence Award in Joint Replacement from Healthgrades.

A Partial Knee Replacement may be recommended to treat severe Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Post-Traumatic Arthritis that does not respond to non-surgical treatment.

How is a Partial Knee Replacement Performed at OSS Health?

At OSS Health, a Partial Knee Replacement can be performed either as an outpatient or an inpatient procedure based on what you and your OSS Health surgeon feel is best for you.

During a Partial Knee Replacement the following steps are performed:

  1. Incision and joint exposure. An incision is made below, around, and above the patella (knee cap). Muscles and soft tissues are retracted.
  2. Implant preparation. Damaged bone and cartilage are carefully removed from the side of the knee that has been damaged due to arthritis. Trial implants are evaluated until the perfect size is found.
  1. Implants. Perfectly sized implants are placed and cemented over precisely cut knee bones.

The incision is carefully closed to prevent infection and ensure proper healing. Total procedure time is usually less than two hours, and Physical Therapy is typically started the day of surgery to expedite recovery.