Nearly 600,000 people each year find themselves needing knee replacement surgery, and if you are one of those patients, you may have questions about which is the right procedure for you. At Ashvin Dewan, MD, we take pride in helping educate our patients on the various treatment options available and ensuring that they are comfortable with their treatment plans. We would like to take a moment to share some information about the differences between partial and total knee replacement surgeries, and which option may be right for your circumstances.
Most patients who undergo knee replacement surgery are between 55-75 years old, and typically need to treat osteoarthritis of the knee that has proven unresponsive to conservative treatment methods. When diagnosing and recommending treatment options, your doctor will help determine which parts of the knee are affected.
There are three compartments in the knee:
- Medial compartment- the inside of the knee
- Lateral compartment – the outside of the knee
- Patellofemoral compartment – the front of the knee
If the osteoarthritis is affecting only one or two of the compartments of the knee (typically the medial compartment is the most common), your doctor may recommend a partial knee replacement, as only a portion of your knee is affected.
For cases where all 3 compartments are affected or for patients with rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis of the knee, total knee replacement may be the ideal option. However, the lateral compartment is less commonly affected, and many patients are candidates for partial replacement.
Ideal candidates are those over the age of 60, have decent range of motion prior to surgery, and are a healthy weight.
Just like with any surgical procedure, knee replacement surgery of any kind will come with some risks you should always consider. However, the benefits of partial knee replacement over total knee replacement are worth noting. Some benefits include:
- Fewer surgical complications
- Better overall range of motion
- Less blood loss
- Faster recovery
- Less bone and soft tissue dissection
- Typically done as an outpatient procedure
- Less invasive
- Feels more natural after surgery than that of total knee replacement
If you’re experiencing osteoarthritis in the knee and looking for relief, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us. Our highly trained team would love to help answer any questions you have and get you back to the activities and lifestyle you enjoy. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Ashwin K. Dewan today.