What is unicondylar knee replacement?

It involves replacing just a part of the knee through the smaller incision. This alternative treatment of total knee arthroplasty is performed on patients suffering from osteoarthritis with a breakdown of just one part of the knee joint.

Who are the best candidates for a unicondylar knee replacement?

Eligible candidates for this procedure include people above 55 years of age.

Partial or unicondylar knee arthroplasty may also be done for younger patients with knee impairment due to arthritis.

Ideal candidates will be those with no history of rheumatoid arthritis, whose arthritis is localized to a specific area in the knee, and whose ligaments are good.

What is the procedure for unicondylar knee replacement?

Unicondylar knee replacement is performed under general or spinal anesthesia and typically takes 1 to 2 hours.

The surgeon approaches from the front part of the knee, close to the arthritic area. This will enable the surgeon to visualize the knee's anatomy and ensure all other ligaments surrounding it are intact and sound. At the same time, only damage to a particular area is present.

If arthritis has damaged several portions of the knee, a complete knee arthroplasty should be performed.

The surgeon removes small portions of cartilage and bone from the diseased sections of the femur, thigh bone, and larger lower leg bone (tibia).

These portions of bones are replaced with metal prosthetics and fixed to each other with cement.

These metal implants on the end of the bone are separated by a plastic insert. This allows smooth and fluid joint motion after surgery.

What are the benefits of unicondylar knee replacement?

The benefits of Unicondylar knee replacement are listed below:

• Fewer Invasions:

In this procedure, the surgeons do not open the whole knee. They make a small opening or cut in the affected area, which is sure to cause minimal surgical injury to the soft tissues surrounding it.

• Fewer Surgical Complications:

Almost every surgery involves some surgical complications, such as blood loss, infection, or bruising. However, due to the smaller incisions, the chances of such risks are much less in this procedure. Hence, the patient won't feel tired post-surgery.

• Quicker Recovery:

The recovery is quick as it involves smaller incisions, can do all the routine work, and bounces back to regular life within a shorter period after the operation.

• Improves the movement:

Unicondylar knee replacement improves mobility, with less pain and stiffness in the patient. It also restores strength in the knee and the surrounding area.

• Preserves the Natural Knee:

When surgeons perform a unicondylar knee replacement, they preserve the healthy part of the knee, which is the natural tissue. Although there may be some mild grade of arthritis in the other knee segments, medications may manage it.

What is the range of extension in unicondylar knee replacement?

Partial knee replacement can be shifted to total knee replacement if the healthy part of the knee does not respond well to conventional medicine. Even if someone has undergone a unicondylar knee replacement, they can opt for a complete replacement if required.

Who is not ideal for unicondylar knee replacement?

Unicondylar knee treatment is not indicated in patients who have arthritis, which affects two or more compartments and has a severe angular deformity.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other types of inflammatory arthritis are not ideal candidates for unicondylar knee replacement.

Even unstable patients who either had a previous osteotomy or whose occupation/sport was very strenuous cannot also be suitable to undergo unicondylar knee replacements.

How soon would the recovery take after unicondylar knee replacement?

Normally, recovery from surgery for the unicondylar knee operation is sooner and less painful than that for the total knee replacement. It requires a smaller incision and normally takes 1 to 3 days of hospital stay.

Most patients require an assisting device such as crutches or a walker for about a week or two after the procedure to avoid stressing the knee during the healing time. Physiotherapy is also pivotal in helping regain the knee's strength and flexibility. Patients are expected to recover fully after six weeks and, therefore, can engage in all normal activities, sports, and exercises.

What are the risks after unicondylar knee replacement surgery?

Compared to total knee replacements, the unicondylar knee replacement is a short and less invasive procedure. Thus the risks remain smaller. Some common chances for unicondylar knee replacements are:

• Infection
• Blood clotting
• Damage to blood vessels or nerves
• Lingering pain in the knee
• Stiffness of the knee
• Patella dislocation
• Wear out of plastic linings
• Loosening of the implant

What is the success rate for unicondylar knee replacement?

The effectiveness rate of unicondylar knee replacement is approximately 90 to 95%. This indicates that 90% of people will not face complications after the treatment for about 10 years. However, following the doctor's recovery tips, some activities must not be performed.

If knee pain limits your mobility and osteoarthritis, you may need this.

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