Knee Replacement (Unicondylar or Partial)

What is a Partial or Unicondylar Knee Replacement procedure?

A Partial Knee Replacement (also known as a Unicondylar or Partial Knee Arthroplasty) replaces just specific worn out parts of the natural surface of the knee joint with an artificial devise known as a knee prosthesis.

A partial knee prosthesis is typically made of metal or plastic components. These components cover just the damaged or diseased knee joint surface and acts as a buffer or shock absorber within the damaged joint. 

Why is a Partial Knee Replacement procedure carried out?

A Partial Knee Replacement is mostly performed on individuals over the age of 50 who have experienced chronic and debilitating knee pain that will not respond to non-surgical treatments.

Joint 'wear and tear' between the surface of the thigh bone (Femur) and shin bone (Tibia) caused by degenerative conditions such as Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis are the two most common reasons for performing a Partial Knee Replacement. Partial Knee replacement may also be recommended to patients who suffer with a condition caused by a decreased blood supply and subsequent decay of the joint known as Avascular Necrosis.

How is a Partial Knee Replacement procedure carried out?

A Partial Knee Replacement can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep) or Spinal/Epidural Anaesthetic (you will be awake, but sedated). The procedure usually takes around one hour to complete and is performed with a patient positioned on their back throughout the procedure.

A short longitudinal incision is made on the front of the knee in order for the surgeon to use various instruments to resurface just the part of the joint surface that have become damaged or diseased and then attach a prosthesis with glue to that surface. Following the procedure the wound is usually closed with absorbable stitches and covered with an absorbable dressing.

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis from developing. It is normal for patients to be encouraged to take a few steps with the support and guidance from a physiotherapist the day after surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control patients are normally discharged home around 2-3 days following their surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally wearing a simple wound dressing, eating and drinking normally, walking with just the aid of a stick and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers).

Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their own mobility and range of knee movement through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy and by increasing their daily activity and walking distances.

Your Consultant Surgeon will then assess your knee joints range of movement after 6 weeks and then again after three months to evaluate how successful your knee replacement operation has been. Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after their first consultation and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work. Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take up to six months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with a Partial Knee Replacement procedure?

Although Unicondylar or Partial Knee Replacement surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of specialist surgery.

All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation with an expert in knee replacement surgery to discuss your condition in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for a Partial Knee Replacement procedure?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in Knee Replacement surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating specialist surgery of this kind and because of their specialist Knee Replacement expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert knee surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com