What Is a Partial Knee Replacement?
Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis can impact your quality of life and prevent you from enjoying the activities you love. When your symptoms are no longer manageable through conservative methods, it may be time to consider a knee replacement.
Whether you’re a candidate for a total or partial knee replacement depends on several different factors. Here’s how to know if a partial knee replacement is right for you.
Who’s a Candidate for a Partial Knee Replacement?
Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic condition where the articular cartilage in the knee joint is wearing away. This can cause a bone-on-bone sensation, leading to knee pain, joint inflammation, and impacted range of motion. People who are good candidates for partial knee replacements usually have one of the following types of knee osteoarthritis:
Medial Knee Osteoarthritis: Damage to the cartilage and bone of the inside knee compartment.
Lateral Knee Osteoarthritis: Arthritis that impacts the compartment along the outside of the knee.
If more than one of these compartments is damaged, a total knee replacement will be recommended over a partial. Additional factors to consider are:
Age: Partial knee replacements are ideal for younger, more active patients
Deformity: Joint damage caused by long-term knee osteoarthritis cannot be corrected by a partial replacement.
Ligament Stability: In order to qualify for a partial knee replacement, your anterior cruciate ligament must be intact.
Stiffness: Severe knee stiffness that impacts your range of motion will require a total knee replacement to fully correct.
Dr. Cafferky and his team will use imaging tests, such as an X-ray, in addition to a physical exam to determine if a partial knee replacement is right for you.
Pros and Cons of a Partial Knee Replacement
During a partial knee replacement, only one compartment of the knee is replaced or resurfaced with an implant. A partial replacement also means the anterior cruciate ligament doesn’t need to be rebalanced. The numerous benefits to this procedure include:
Preserving healthy bone and tissue in the knee
Faster recovery time than a total knee replacement, with the majority of patients able to resume day-to-day activities three to six weeks after surgery
Less blood loss during surgery, which can reduce the risk of complications
Partial knee replacement patients are still candidates for total knee replacements further down the line. This means that younger patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis can maintain the quality of life for longer and potentially avoid a total knee revision surgery.
Contact Team Cafferky to Discuss Your Knee Replacement Options
Dr. Cafferky and his team at The Steadman Clinic are known throughout Colorado for their surgical skill and dedication to patient outcomes. If you are suffering from severe knee osteoarthritis and believe you’re a candidate for a partial knee replacement, contact Team Cafferky today!
Dr. Cafferky will diagnose the extent of your condition and help determine a treatment plan that’s right for you. Schedule a consultation today by calling (970) 476-1100 or through our online appointment request form.
Now offering telemedicine appointments!