Partial Knee Replacement
A total knee replacement surgery replaces the entire knee joint. A partial knee replacement, however, involves only one part of the knee. Based on which part of the knee is damaged, surgeons will replace the medial (inside), lateral (outside), or the kneecap portion of your knee.
Thomas & Bigler Knee and Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, while also serving areas such as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.
Is Partial Knee Replacement Right for You?
Partial knee replacement is the method of choice for persons who are 60 years of age or older and have only partial knee damage. Surgeons also choose this technique if:
- The patient is thin, older, and does not have a very active lifestyle
- The knee deformity is minor only and the arthritis under the kneecap or the other side of the knee is not very bad
- The range of motion in the patient’s knee is good
- Knee ligaments are still stable
Persons with severe knee arthritis are not advised a partial knee replacement.
Procedure of Partial Knee Replacement
In a partial knee replacement procedure, the surgeon removes damaged bone and tissue from the knee joint. A prosthetic, which is an artificial implant, is used to replace the part which has been removed. The rest of your knee remains unchanged. Recovery from a partial knee replacement is faster because smaller incisions are used during the surgery.
Depending on your specific requirement, the surgeon will administer either general anesthesia or regional anesthesia. General anesthesia ensures that you sleep throughout the procedure. Regional anesthesia may be spinal or epidural type and only numbs the body parts below the waist. Your surgeon may also give you medication to make you drowsy or relaxed.
The surgery begins with a cut over the knee that is 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 13 centimeters) in length. The surgeon then examines the joint to verify the extent of damage that has been shown by the pre-surgery diagnostic tests. In the rare event of finding a greater degree of damage than expected, the surgeon may advise a total knee replacement at this juncture.
During the actual procedure, the damaged part of the tissue and bone is removed. The replacement part made of a combination of metal and plastic is placed inside the knee and attached using bone cement. The surgeon then sutures the wound to close it.
Post-Surgical Recovery
Recovery is rapid in most patients and they report a significant reduction in knee pain after the surgery. People recover faster from a partial knee replacement than from a total knee replacement. You will be able to walk without support from a walker or cane within a month of surgery.
Most patients require physical therapy for at least 4 months following surgery. Your surgeon will advise you to avoid high-impact forms of exercise such as jogging and instead, choose activities such as swimming, walking, biking, golf, or tennis.
Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for orthopedic surgery.
Contact Board Certified Surgeons Dr. Bigler or Dr. Thomas at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board-certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. Contact the office today click here.
Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada