Unicondylar (Partial) Knee Replacement
A partial knee (unicondylar) replacement is a treatment option for damage that has occurred to one anatomical compartment of a knee joint. It is commonly performed, with approximately 5% of patients with arthritic knees eligible for this procedure.
Anatomically, the areas of the knee can be divided into three compartments: the inside of the knee (medial), the front of the knee (anterior) and the outside of the knee (lateral). With a partial knee replacement, the specific damaged compartment is removed and replaced with new parts made from plastic and metal. This leaves the rest of the knee with its healthy ligaments, cartilage and bone. The operation has many of the same risks as a total knee replacement, but rehabilitation takes less time and the hospital stay is typically shorter.
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