A partial knee replacement (unicompartmental) is an option for a small percentage of patients who have osteoarthritis of the knee. Your consultant may recommend this option if the arthritis has effected a single compartment of your knee.
The knee is divided into three major compartments: The medial compartment (the inside part of the knee), the lateral compartment (the outside part) and the patellofemoral compartment (the front of the knee).
The unicompartmental knee replacement, replaces only the damaged compartment with a metal or plastic joint, whilst the healthy bone and cartilage in the rest of the knee are retained.
The unicompartmental knee replacement performs well in the vast majority of patients and offers in many cases quicker recovery, less pain following surgery and less blood loss. Many patients also report that because they still retain part of their bone and cartilage, the knee replacement feels more natural than a total knee replacement.
Unicompartmental knee replacement surgery is performed at benenden hospital by a highly skilled team of orthopaedic consultants.|