Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
Sometimes medication and physical therapy simply do not relieve your knee pain, and your pain interferes with your daily activities. If you are finding it hard to overcome your discomfort through nonsurgical joint pain treatments but want to enjoy life like you used to, Beaufort Memorial may have the answer.
Our orthopedic surgeons specialize in a variety of surgical treatments, including partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. This minimally invasive technique replaces only the affected portion of the knee, leaving more of your original knee joint intact and often providing a fast recovery.
Learn about your options for total and partial knee replacement at a Solving Hip and Knee Pain seminar. Or, call 843-522-7435 to discuss your symptoms with our orthopedic care coordinator.
Pros and Cons of Partial Knee Replacement
More than 790,000 knees get replaced each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It is a very safe, effective procedure.
There are two types of knee replacement: total and partial.
Total knee replacements involve replacing the entire joint and, in some cases, removing ligaments. In a partial replacement, the parts of the knee with damaged bone and cartilage are resurfaced. Therefore, people whose knees are only partly affected by disease make good candidates for partial knee replacement. The procedure offers a variety of benefits compared with total knee replacement. It:
- Preserves healthy bone, cartilage and ligaments
- Requires a smaller incision and a smaller implant, meaning less soft tissue dissection
- Uses parts that provide high durability and low joint wear
- Improves range of motion after surgery
- Leads to less pain after surgery
- Often allows for faster recovery and less time in the hospital
At Beaufort Memorial, we offer the Oxford® implant, the most widely used partial knee implant in the world. Because it has an artificial meniscal bearing, the implant provides a more natural motion.
The downside of partial knee replacement is that healthy parts of the knee may become affected by disease later in life, and patients may eventually need to have the entire joint replaced. Your orthopedic surgeon can give you an honest assessment of your knee and let you know whether a total or partial replacement will work best for you.
Partial Knee Replacement Recovery
When you have a partial knee replacement at Beaufort Memorial, recovery begins as soon as your surgery is complete. You will begin light physical activity the day of your procedure, after you are able to move around safely. You’ll also participate in group physical therapy sessions in the Sandbar Gym.
After you return home, you will continue with outpatient rehabilitation that will help you get back to your daily activities. You will be encouraged to keep moving, but you may not be able to resume high-impact activities, such as jogging, for a few weeks to months.
Nationally Recognized Care
Beaufort Memorial has earned the Gold Seal of Approval® from The Joint Commission for Advanced Total Hip and Knee Replacement Certification, demonstrating that we meet the highest national standards of care in knee replacement, right here at home. In fact, we are one of only four hospitals in South Carolina to have achieved this advanced certification.
Have more questions about orthopedic surgery? Get answers to frequently asked questions.