Partial Knee Replacement

Partial Knee Replacement - Knee Surgeon in Hobart

Partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement replaces only the diseased compartment of the knee, preserving healthy bone, cartilage and ligaments elsewhere in the joint. Mr Shalinder Sadiq offers this as an alternative to total knee replacement for patients whose arthritis is limited to a single compartment, most commonly the medial compartment.

Understanding knee osteoarthritis

The knee is a complex joint formed by the femur, tibia and patella, stabilised by the ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL, with the medial and lateral menisci acting as shock absorbers. It has three compartments, medial, lateral and patello-femoral, and osteoarthritis, the age-related wearing of cartilage, can affect one or more of these areas while the ligaments usually remain intact. The medial compartment is by far the most commonly affected.

Partial vs total knee replacement

During knee replacement surgery, damaged bone and cartilage are replaced with prosthetic components. In unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement, only the diseased compartment of the knee is replaced. This is an alternative to total knee replacement for patients whose disease is limited to a single compartment, healthy cartilage, bone and all ligaments are preserved.

The Oxford Signature guide

Step 1 – An MRI scan is taken of your knee

Step 2 – Patient-specific guides and a life-size 3D model of your knee are designed and manufactured, allowing Mr Sadiq to fully understand your bony anatomy ahead of surgery

For more information, see the Oxford Partial Knee website.

Advantages

Multiple studies show that the majority of patients achieve good results with unicompartmental knee replacement. Advantages over total knee replacement include:

Quicker recovery

Less pain after surgery

Less blood loss

Knee feels more natural than after total knee replacement

Knee likely to bend (flex) better than after total knee replacement

Disadvantages

  • Potential need for further surgery after many years
RECOVERY

After your operation

We will help you walk on the day of (or occasionally the day after) surgery, under the guidance of a physiotherapist. Expected hospital stay is usually 3–4 days, and you may require a period of physiotherapy after discharge. Good recovery continues well after you go home, with follow-up care at the following milestones:
Rooms review
2 weeks after surgery
Follow-up
6 weeks after surgery
Ongoing review
Every 12 months

If you think something is not right, see our Recovery page, or call us on 03 6279 5798.

Is partial knee replacement right for you?

Not every patient with knee arthritis is suitable for a partial knee replacement; it depends on which compartments of your knee are affected. Mr Sadiq will assess your knee and discuss whether a partial or total knee replacement is the right option for you as part of your consultation.

If your arthritis affects more than one compartment, see our Total Knee Replacement or Custom Knee Replacement pages.

Frequently asked questions for patients

Ready to take the next step in your care?

Book a consultation with Mr Sadiq, or register as a new patient to get started ahead of your visit.