Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

A More Natural Feeling Knee

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery2024-05-13T20:52:03-10:00

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

A More Natural Feeling Knee

See if you are a candidate for a Partial Knee Replacement

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By submitting this form, you consent to receive marketing emails from Paul Morton, MD, 1441 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 2020, Honolulu, HI 96814, https://www.doctormorton.com/. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscrube® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Choose Dr. Morton as your Partial Knee Replacement Surgeon

Board-certified, Fellowship Trained Knee Surgeon

Experienced Orthopedic Surgeon

Nonoperative and operative treatments available

High success rate in partial knee replacements

Minimally invasive surgery

Well-versed with modern techniques such as partial knee replacements and robotic-assisted joint replacements.

Fellowship-trained and specialist in knee surgery

Takes care of revision knee replacements and complex operations

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What is a Partial Knee Replacement?

Partial knee replacements (unicompartmental knee replacements) are a type of knee replacement that only replaces the arthritic part of the knee. Patients with a partial knee recover from their surgery faster and are more likely to have a knee that feels like a normal knee compared to a total knee replacement.

Partial knee replacements only replace the part of the knee that is arthritic. In a total knee replacement, there are two ligaments that are normally removed – the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligaments. In addition, partial knee replacements allow you to keep the good cartilage that is in your knee. Unlike a traditional knee replacement, partial knees are considered resurfacing surgery.

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What are the different types of partial knee replacements?

There are a few different types of partial knees. The inside of your knee is considered the “medial compartment”. Meanwhile the outside of the knee is the “lateral compartment”. The part underneath the knee cap is called the “patellofemoral compartment”. Each of these compartments can be replaced independently with a lateral, medial or patellofemoral replacement. Sometimes two compartments can be replaced, a “bicompartmental replacement”

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Is Partial Knee Replacement surgery right for you?

Recovery after Partial Knee Replacement

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is Partial Knee Replacement Surgery Right for you?

Partial knee replacements are a good option for you if you have severe knee pain that does not improve with conservative treatment. In addition, you should have arthritis isolated to only location. If you have arthritis in more than one compartment, having a partial knee replacement may lead to an early revision surgery.  You should consider surgery when you have problems in certain areas of your life secondary to your knee pain such as:

Problems with activities of daily living: household chores or grocery shopping

Performing activities you enjoy: long walks, golf, riding a bike, or gardening

Occupational activities: inability to perform functions of your jobs

Enjoyment of family: Pain associated with playing with your grandchildren or activities with your spouse

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I have arthritis, but I was told I was not a candidate for a partial knee replacement

If you have severe deformity, loss of ACL function, inflammatory arthritis, or severe osteoarthritis, a partial knee replacement may lead to a high chance of failure of your partial knee replacement and likely future revision knee replacement.

Benefits

Patients who undergo a partial knee replacement have:

Smaller incision

Less pain

Less blood loss

Quicker recovery from the surgery

Disadvantages

A partial knee replacement only resurfaces part of your knee. Some patients can have excess pressure placed on the un-resurfaced portion of their knee. This increase in pressure can lead to degenerative wear in the areas of the knee that was not replaced. This increase in wear leads to further arthritis of the joint. The best way to prevent this is by better placement of components using robotic-assistance. Talk with Dr. Morton to see if you are a candidate for a partial knee replacement. Dr. Morton can help explain why you might not be a good candidate for a partial knee replacement.

Reasons to avoid a Partial Knee Replacement:

Deformity

Inflammatory arthritis

Severe ligament damage

Recovery after Partial Knee Replacement

After your partial knee replacement, you will begin walking on the day of surgery after you recover from anesthesia. Many patients are able to go home after surgery. Your physical therapist will assist you in beginning to walk again. Often you will have pain while you are recovering and you will have to work on recovering your muscle strength. You may require a walker or a cane to get around for the first couple of months after surgery. During your surgery, we provide multiple modes of anesthesia to reduce your pain including nerve blocks, intra-operative injections, and a low-narcotic pain medication regimen.

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Goals

Many patients are able to walk normally 2 – 3 weeks after surgery. Most patients are able to return to many of your activities by 6 weeks after surgery.  Over the course of a year, you will continuously gain benefits from your knee replacement. Sometimes it may take 2 years to get the full benefit of your new knee.

The goal of your partial knee replacement is to give you the best opportunity to have a normal feeling knee that will allow you to return to activities that you enjoy such as long walks, dancing, golfing, gardening, and biking. A partial knee replacement has been performed for many years with an excellent track record for improving quality of life, returning patients to their independence, and reducing pain.

Have Realistic Expectations

Unfortunately, a knee replacement may not solve all of your knee problems. More than 90% of patients who undergo a partial knee replacement have a dramatic improvement in their knee pain. This gives patients the ability to return to a normal lifestyle and perform everyday activities. Over time, the plastic component in your partial knee replacement can wear out. Increased weight, or high levels of impact activity may speed up this wear and cause problems with your knee. The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons advise patients to avoid high impact activities such as running, jogging, jumping, or other high-impact activities with a knee replacement.

Risks

Despite the technological and medical advancements that we have made, there are still risks with partial knee replacement surgery. Risks include:

Infection

Blood loss

Blood clots

Wear of non-arthritic compartment

Fracture

Implant loosening

Knee stiffness

Nerve or blood vessel damage

Frequently Asked Questions about Partial Knee Replacement (FAQ)

How long does a partial knee replacement last?2021-02-28T18:08:24-10:00

Partial knee replacements that are done for the right reasons can last a lifetime. Patients who are heavier, have a higher activity level, or have arthritis in other areas of their knee are at a higher risk for failure. At 10 years, 90% of partial knees done with historical techniques are still functioning well. Using robotic assistance, surgeries are able to have their implants placed in better positions, and the longevity approaches that of total knees, while maintaining the improved kinematics from a partial knee.

Who is a candidate for a partial knee replacement?2021-02-28T18:08:01-10:00

Partial knee replacements are a good surgical option for patients who have to isolated osteoarthritis to only one compartment. The knee is made of three compartments – medial, lateral, and patellofemoral. Partial knee replacements in patients with arthritis in more than one compartment are at high risk of failure after a partial knee replacement.

What can I expect with a partial knee replacement?2021-02-28T18:07:30-10:00

Comparatively, there is less surgery associated with a partial knee replacement. This results in less blood loss, less pain, and quicker recovery. Patients are generally able to return home on the same day of surgery. You are able to shower right away. After about 6 weeks, most patients are able to return to many of their normal activities.

What is the normal recovery time for a partial knee replacement?2021-02-28T18:07:09-10:00

Recovery from a partial knee replacement is generally faster compared to a total knee replacement. Partial knee replacements usually recover between 4 and 10 weeks. Total knee replacements can take between 8 to 12 weeks for a recovery.

Should I have a partial (uni) or total knee replacement?2021-02-28T17:58:52-10:00

Partial and total knee replacement surgery have excellent track records. There are risks and benefits to both operations. Partial knee replacements often leave patients with a more “natural feeling” knee, while total knee replacements are able to provide the longest term result with lower risk of re-operation.

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Meet Dr. Paul Norio Morton

Dr. Paul Norio Morton, MD, FAAOS, FAAHKS is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon in hip and knee surgery, specializing in robotic joint replacements, complex joint reconstruction, sports injuries, and trauma. He practices orthopedic surgery inHonolulu, West Oahu, and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. Reach out to him to learn more about treatment options for your problem.

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