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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 treating partial knee replacement
- 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
- Trauma Surgeon at Level 1 Trauma Center – Queen’s Medical Center
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”
Content
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?
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
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
Dr. Morton will do his best to avoid complications. Please discuss any concerns that you may have with him prior to your surgery.
Trying to figure out between a partial and a total knee replacement? Learn more here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Partial Knee Replacement (FAQ)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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