Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
Treatment for Knee Arthritis
Partial knee replacement is a surgical treatment available to select patients who suffer from arthritis of the knee.
Unlike total knee replacement, in which an arthritic or damaged knee joint is removed and replaced with a prosthesis, partial knee replacement surgery involves removing only damaged areas of the joint. Under the right circumstances, partial knee replacement is a great option for treating knee arthritis because you retain the undamaged parts of your knee, allowing your knees to recover from surgery more quickly and you’ll enjoy better overall function of your knee. If done correctly, partial knee replacements can last 10–12 years.
Despite its advantages, however, partial knee replacement isn't for everyone. At Aurora Health Care, our orthopedic surgeons recommend partial knee replacements for less than 10 percent of people who suffer from severe knee arthritis. Not many qualify for the treatment because partial knee replacement is most successful if you:
- Weigh less than 185 pounds
- Benefit more from a faster-recovery, 10–12 year partial knee replacement than from a longer-recovery, 20+-year total knee replacement
For those who are viable candidates for partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, a return to normal activity hinges not only on a successful surgery, but on successful rehabilitation. At the Aurora Joint Academy, you and your family will learn how to prepare for surgery and maximize your recovery.
Learn about Aurora's orthopedic rehabilitation.
