Partial Knee Replacement
What is partial knee replacement surgery?
Partial knee replacement is a surgical procedure in which only the damaged or worn-out portions of the knee joint are replaced with a prosthesis. The purpose of this surgery is to relieve pain, improve knee function and restore mobility. The procedure involves removing the damaged parts of the knee joint and replacing the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) with a metal cap and a hard-wearing plastic in between that acts as a shock absorber to simulate the function of a healthy knee.
Partial knee replacement is usually last line treatment to cure the arthritis in only part of the knee with an otherwise normal knee and involves a prosthesis. This surgery is usually done under a spinal anaesthetic or general anaesthetic for pain relief.
Dr Eardley-Harris will discuss your specific risks with you during your appointment, as well as clear instructions to follow before and after your operation.
The benefit of a partial knee replacement is quicker recovery and a possibly more normal feeling knee. This is particularly useful if only one part of the knee is affected by arthritis, and the rest of the knee is normal. However if multiple parts or compartments of the knee are affected then a total knee replacement is a better choice.
The risks of partial knee replacement include:
- Infection including superficial and deep
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs
- Stiffness and pain
- Damage to the tendons, nerves and blood vessels which are thankfully extremely rare
- Prosthesis issues such as instability or wearing out
- Conversion to a total knee replacement because of the rest of the knee wearing out.
How is partial knee replacement performed?
Dr Eardley-Harris performs robotic-assisted knee replacement as routine for his patients. This involves usually a thorough planning for the size of the proposed implants as well as the amount of bone to be resected. Dr Eardley-Harris is in control of the robot at all times and uses the robotic arm and computer in order to replicate accurate surgery in the order of 1 degree and 1 millimetre.
Unfortunately although technology has come a long way with knee replacements, the exact design of all knee replacement prostheses are not the same as your normal knee when you were young and prior to injury. While knee replacement is highly successful in restoring motion and reducing pain in the majority of patients, there are some patients who will still experience pain and dysfunction despite no complications and a perfect looking prosthesis. This can be especially true if you are young or there is only early arthritis. It is therefore important to discuss with Dr Eardley-Harris whether knee replacement is suitable for you and your knee so that you are properly informed of the options.
Meet Nathan
He has subspecialty, post-fellowship training in hip preservation surgery and joint replacement, including robotic & technology-assisted surgery across all approaches, including the direct anterior approach. Through compassion, communication, collaboration & competence, Nathan aims to build patient-surgeon trust, helping you understand your condition and the options available to empower you to make better treatment decisions toward your personal recovery goals. With stronger, better-informed patient-surgeon relationships, evidence-based surgical techniques and the latest assistive technology, Nathan aims to provide patients with the best possible care.
Comprehensive Surgical Care
A joint decision between you and Dr Eardley-Harris has been made to proceed with surgery after discussion of the risks and benefits of the procedure.
You may need special equipment to prepare your home for your return.
Comprehensive Surgical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, partial knee replacement is major surgery and a permanent and last line solution for knee arthritis, though less severe than full replacement. Risks of partial knee replacement include infection, blood clots in the legs or lungs, damage to the blood vessels and nerves including some skin numbness around the scar, prosthesis issues such as instability, loosening and fracture. Thankfully most of these risks are rare, and some are monitored over time so that early intervention can be sought. Dr Eardley-Harris will discuss with you about your specific risks at your appointment.
The recommendation is you should not drive for six weeks following a knee replacement. In order to be safe, you must be able to control the pedals properly and be off all strong pain medication that can impair judgment or reaction time. In addition, most insurances have specific clauses about lower limb surgery. We advise you check your exact insurance details prior to returning to driving.
Patients can proceed with bathing after 2 weeks, with the ability to get in a pool for hydrotherapy or swimming at 4 weeks - provided the wound has healed completely.
During the first six weeks following surgery, we recommend limiting activities to simple walking, swimming, and stationary cycling, along with specific exercises guided by a trained physiotherapist. Some high impact sports such as running, martial arts, and jumping are not recommended at any time after knee replacement. If there is a specific sport that you are particularly passionate about, please discuss the instructions regarding this with Dr Eardley-Harris prior to surgery.
In short, no. Conventional knee replacements have been performed for many years with a proven track record of success in providing pain relief and restoring function. While Dr Eardley-Harris has extensive experience with conventional knee replacements, there may be limitations in achieving precise alignment and fit. Where it is appropriate, he chooses to use robotic assistance to help provide accuracy, safety, and efficiency to the procedure. This allows for a customisable, personalised plan for each patient for optimal alignment and fit of the implant.
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