Partial Knee Joint Replacement

Osteoarthritis affects more than 21 million individuals in the United States. Many aging baby boomers are experiencing the effects of this arthritic condition, causing them to slow down and refrain from an active healthy lifestyle because of the resulting knee pain. Today, because of refined surgical techniques and improved implant design, partial knee replacements with a minimally invasive approach are a viable option for select candidates rather than undergoing a more extensive total knee replacement. For some, total knee replacement is too aggressive a procedure. Many patients with isolated knee pain undergo a total knee when a partial knee replacement would be more appropriate. Based on the principal of joint preservation, partial knee replacement targets treatment of only the damaged area while preserving healthier portions of normal cartilage, bone, and ligaments.

Recovery is rapid and can provide excellent pain relief. A partial knee replacement is a safe alternative, less invasive, and lasts just as long in the right patient.

Knowledgeable patients make the best decisions about their treatment. At D.I.S.C. every effort is made to avoid the risks of surgery when non-operative treatments are more advantageous.

Dr. Andrew Yun, a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon is the Joint Replacement Director at D.I.S.C.

The benefits of a partial knee replacement are:

• Effective, durable pain relief
• Faster, less painful rehabilitation
• Quicker return to work and an active lifestyle
• Higher patient satisfaction
• Greater range of motion when compared to standard total knee procedures (non-high flex) - allows for nearly full range of motion
• Smaller scar - uses a 2 - to 3-inch incision and removes only the diseased portion of the knee

More Info on the Uni Compartmental Knee:

The Uni Knee system is a partial knee implant for people who need joint replacement, but only have damage to one side – or compartment – of their knee. Like many exciting advances in medicine, the partial knee was built on a foundation of proven concepts in knee replacement surgery.

Partial knee replacement has been around for 30 years. What’s new with this Uni Knee replacement is the extent to which the partial knee is capable of bending. This is referred to as flexion. While this implant will not guarantee you high flexion, it will safely accommodate high flexion if you are able to achieve it. This is significant because many other partial – and total – knee implants being used today do not allow for deep knee bending. In addition, the Uni Knee was designed for placement using today’s minimally invasive techniques, which if you are a candidate, are helping many people get back to life and work faster than patients who undergo traditional knee replacement surgery.