Partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee replacement, is a relatively new procedure in the grand scheme of medical surgery, but we still have hordes of clinical data that shows it can be a perfect procedure for some patients dealing with knee problems. Patients tend to have a better understanding of total knee replacement compared to partial knee replacement, so we thought it would be a good idea to answer some common questions and provide some basic information about the entire partial knee replacement process.
Partial Knee Replacement 101
- Candidacy – Candidates for partial knee replacement will be in good health or working their way towards a healthy weight. Some knee compartments will still be in good health such that they do not need to be replaced. If you find yourself avoiding certain daily activities because of knee pain or discomfort, and you haven’t found success through other treatments like physical therapy, a consultation with a knee surgeon may be a good option. However, if too much arthritic degeneration or damage has occurred across all knee compartments, a total knee replacement may be a better long-term solution.
- Procedure Basics – Surgeons can use minimally invasive techniques to avoid damaging key soft tissues while still replacing the necessary knee compartments. The incision is only a couple inches in size, much smaller than traditional total knee replacement incisions. This leads to a shorter recovery period and a reduced likelihood of complications like blood loss during the procedure. Many patients are walking unassisted within days or a week or two following the partial knee replacement.
- Effectiveness – Medical data shows that more than 90 percent of partial knee replacements are still functioning well 10 years after the original surgery. Patients who have had a partial knee replacement on one knee and a total knee replacement on the other say that the partial knee feels more normal compared to their other artificial knee. Both patients and surgeons say revisional procedures are much easier on partial knee replacements than in total knee replacements.
- Surgical Planning – Minimally invasive partial knee replacement is an elective surgery, and since partial knee replacement is only considered if there is reason to believe the healthy compartments will remain healthy for an extended period of time, your operation can be scheduled around certain life events. In the vast majority of cases, you can schedule your surgery around your life.
- Risks and Complications – Complication rates for minimally invasive partial knee replacement operations are low. Blood clots, bleeding or similar complications occur in less than five percent of cases, and surgeons are well equipped to handle any potential roadblocks during and after surgery. Risks can be further prevented by choosing an experienced surgeon like Dr. Botero who follows strict sterilization protocols and has a deep understanding of risk mitigation.
- Costs – After meeting with our team and reviewing your situation, we can typically provide a reasonable estimate of the surgery fee, any after care expenses and questions about Medicare and insurance coverage. We can also point you in the right direction if we can’t directly answer your question about insurance coverage or potential costs. However, we try to be as up front as possible when it comes to costs so patients don’t end up with any surprises after surgery.
- After Discharge Plan – After surgery is complete and you’ve been discharged, expect to adhere to your surgeon’s individualized instructions for how to best care for your knee. You’ll soon begin physical therapy to strengthen the supportive knee components and increase mobility in the joint. The length of physical therapy and rehabilitation is typically measured in weeks, not months.
For more answers to questions about minimally invasive partial knee replacement, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today.
