Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

Osteoarthritis sometimes develops in only one partition of the knee, while the other two partitions remain relatively healthy. If you have osteoarthritis in only one partition, you may be a candidate for partial knee replacement.

A partial knee replacement resurfaces only the damaged cartilage of the knee, preserving the undamaged cartilage. You and your orthopedic surgeon will determine if a partial knee replacement is appropriate for you.

Since a partial knee replacement repairs only one side of the knee, the prosthesis parts are much smaller than they are with a total knee replacement surgery.

Advantages of a partial knee replacement.

• Minimally invasive surgical procedure
• Faster recovery
• More natural post-surgery motion
• Lower wear rate for many patients
• Greater ability to return to some activities

Not all patients are candidates for partial knee replacement. You’ll need to discuss your condition and treatment options with your knee doctor.

Before your partial knee replacement surgery.

You will most likely arrive at the hospital on the morning of your scheduled surgery. Be sure to follow all of your knee doctor’s instructions on preparing for surgery.

• You should stop eating or drinking 10 hours before surgery.
• If you take a daily medication, ask your knee doctor if you should still take it the morning of surgery.

 At the hospital, your temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure will be checked.

 An IV (intravenous) line may be started to provide fluids and medications needed during shoulder surgery.

When your surgical team is ready, you’ll be taken to the operating room. There you’ll be given anesthesia to help you sleep through partial knee replacement surgery.

After your surgery.

After your surgery, you’ll be sent to the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). When you are fully awake, you’ll be moved to your room. Based on your surgeon’s instructions, the nurses will give you medications to ease your pain.

Soon, our skilled Joint University orthopedic team will help you get up and moving. They know precisely what they’re doing and how to help you recover, heal, and get back to life in the fastest, safest way possible. You may also have physical therapy or occupational therapy after your surgery. This will be coordinated by your Joint University team.

After surgery, you will probably be hospitalized for one to three days. Recovery time varies following partial knee replacement surgery, but most people are able to drive after two weeks, garden after three to four weeks, and golf after six to eight weeks. Your surgeon will tell you which activities you can return to, and when, and which activities to avoid.

Risks and complications

As with any surgery, partial knee replacement surgery carries possible risks and complications. The following risks include:

• Reaction to the anesthesia
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Dislocation of the joint or loosening of the prosthesis
• Fracture
• Wearing out the prosthetic
• Damage to nearby blood vessels, bones, or nerves
• Pain

When to call your knee doctor.

Once at home, call your doctor if you have any of the symptoms below:

• An increase in pain not relieved by your pain medicine
• Unusual redness, heat, or drainage at the incision site
• Fever over 101.0°F (38.3°C)

Read what our patients have to say.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever been in any other doctor’s office that is run so smoothly as Dr. Iero’s. I’m very happy with the results. Now, when I go to the lake, nothing hurts!”  ~ Mildred Jones

“As an athlete, I needed to get the use of my knee back. Dr. Iero did exactly what he said he would and I’m very pleased!” ~ Tony Scazzero

“My two knee replacement surgeries were so easy I couldn’t believe it! And I love that I love that Dr. Riley slows down and listens to me.” ~Margaret Reuter