Partial Knee Replacement (UNI)
The management options for knee pain include Non-Surgical and Surgical treatments. Ideally the Non-Surgical treatments should be exhausted, before Surgical treatments become necessary.
Partial knee replacement involves replacing only the diseased medial (inner) compartment of the knee. It’s a less invasive option than total knee replacement, providing a quicker recovery and a more natural feeling knee joint.
The Procedure
Including the anaesthetic and recovery time, the procedure typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Most patients receive a spinal anaesthetic along with sedation to ensure they are not aware of the procedure. Additional regional sensory nerve blocks will be utilised to ensure you are as pain free as possible.
The surgical incision is made along the front of the knee. The remaining healthy areas of the knee are then assessed. It is important to note that your consent will be gained pre-operatively to convert to a total knee replacement if this assessment of the remainder of the knee is unsatisfactory and there is a concern that they may develop significant arthritic changes within 10 years.
The arthritic bone is removed, and metal and plastic components are used to replace the affected surfaces of the knee. The incision is closed and a dressing is applied. A bandage and ice are used to manage any swelling and bruising.
Recovery
Most patients find they are relatively comfortable upon returning to the ward and are encouraged to start mobilising on their new knee immediately. The physiotherapy team will guide you on how to do this safely. You can continue to utilise Ice to manage the swelling.
The usual inpatient stay is just one night, but some patients maybe suitable for this to be done as a day procedure. Follow-up appointments are at 10 days (to check wound healing), 6-8 weeks in the Consultant Clinic (to assess mobility).
Swelling and bruising are common and normal part of the healing process.
Pain management is key to ensure adequate pain relief to be able to carry out range of movement exercise throughout the day. Please see Total Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Video for advice on how to best recover following Partial or Total Knee Replacement.