Knee pain is a very annoying thing, isn't it? The pain and stiffness you feel when walking, bending, or climbing stairs can make it difficult to do your daily activities. Perhaps you too are suffering from this problem. If the pain has not subsided despite taking medication and undergoing various treatments, your doctor may have told you about a surgery to replace part of your knee. Today, we will talk about this surgery, that is, a 'Partial Knee Replacement', in a simple way that everyone can understand.
What is 'Partial Knee Replacement'?
Simply put, this is a surgery that replaces only the damaged part of your knee joint, not the entire joint. This is called a joint replacement (Arthroplasty) in medical terms.
In this operation, the surgeon removes the worn-out, damaged bone and cartilage in your knee and replaces it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal and plastic.
Think of our knee joint as a three-room house. It has three main parts:
- Medial compartment: The inner side of the knee.
- Lateral compartment: The back of the knee.
- Patellofemoral compartment: The area under your kneecap.
Partial Knee Replacement surgery is usually performed when the inner or outer part of the knee is damaged. If the knee is not completely worn out, this surgery involves replacing only the damaged part, leaving the healthy parts intact.
What types of conditions is this surgery performed for?
The main reason for this surgery is often arthritis. However, this surgery is especially recommended for people with osteoarthritis.
If you have severe symptoms and have not been relieved by non-surgical treatments such as medication and exercise, your doctor may consider this surgery.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Joint pain | Long-term pain that occurs when walking, standing, or even at rest. |
| Stiffness | Feeling of stiffness in the knee that prevents it from bending or extending when waking up in the morning or after sitting for a while. |
| Difficulty moving | Inability to fully bend or straighten the knee, difficulty walking, difficulty climbing stairs. |
| Swelling | Constant swelling around the knee. |
How do you prepare before surgery?
Your doctor and surgeon will clearly explain to you what you need to do before the surgery. Typically, you will need to do the following:
- A complete physical examination: See if you are healthy enough to undergo surgery.
- Blood tests: Check blood levels and other problems.
- ECG test: To make sure the heart is functioning properly.
- A dental checkup: This is very important. If you have an infection in your teeth or gums, those germs can travel through your bloodstream after surgery and cause an infection in your knee. So it's important to have your teeth cleaned and any problems fixed before surgery.
- Imaging tests: An X-ray of the knee is usually done. Sometimes, very rarely, an MRI or CT scan may also be done.
Most importantly: Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications (including those for other conditions), vitamins, herbal supplements, or any over-the-counter (OTC) medications you are taking. You may be advised to stop taking some medications a few days before your surgery.
You will also be given instructions on when to stop eating and drinking the day before surgery. Usually, you will need to stop eating and drinking 12 hours before surgery.
What happens during and after the surgery?
On the day of the surgery, you will be given anesthesia so that you will not feel any pain. The anesthesiologist may give you general anesthesia, which puts you completely to sleep, or regional anesthesia, which numbs only the area below the waist.
During the surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone and replaces it with an artificial joint. A plastic spacer is also inserted to do the job that the cartilage used to do. The surgery usually takes about an hour .
After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room where the medical team will monitor your vital signs and pain. Most people can go home the same day as the surgery. However, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight if necessary.
Benefits and possible complications of this surgery
The main benefit of this surgery is that long-term pain and stiffness are gone, and you can walk and work comfortably. It also improves your quality of life.
The most important thing is that the recovery time after this surgery is much faster than after a total knee replacement.
This artificial joint usually lasts for 10 years or more , but some people may need to have a total knee replacement if they develop arthritis in other parts of the knee in the future.
Complications are rare, but it's important to be aware of them.
- Blood clots
- Infection in the wound or inside the knee
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels
- Prosthetic joint wear or loosening
- Decreased ability to bend/extend the knee
If you have other medical conditions, such as hemophilia, diabetes, or lupus, tell your doctor about them as well.
Recovery time and things to do
It may take several months to fully recover. But you should be able to resume most normal activities after about 6 weeks . Your recovery will depend on your age, your health before surgery, and other medical conditions.
You can do these things to recover quickly:
| What to do | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Ice-laying | Apply ice to your knee for about 20 minutes several times a day. This will reduce pain and swelling. |
| Keeping the knee up | Keep your knees above the level of your heart whenever possible. Lie down with pillows on top. |
| Keeping the wound clean | Follow the doctor's instructions. Ask exactly how to change the bandage on the wound and when you can take a shower. |
| Exercises to do at home | Do the exercises exactly as your doctor prescribes. These will help strengthen the muscles around your knee and reduce stiffness in the joint. |
| Physical Therapy | You will need to work with a physical therapist for a few weeks. They will teach you how to safely bend your knee and how to put weight on it. |
Symptoms that require immediate medical attention
During your recovery after surgery, if you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
- Fever greater than 101 Fahrenheit (39 Celsius)
- Excessive bleeding from the wound
- Signs of wound infection (pus discharge, excessive swelling, foul odor, redness, warmth to the touch)
- New or worsening pain in the thigh, ankle, or foot
- Severe pain that does not subside despite taking painkillers
Ultimately, you don't have to suffer with knee pain and stiffness anymore. If other treatments don't work, surgery may be a good option for you to live a more comfortable life. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for you.
Take-Home Message
- Partial Knee Replacement is a surgery that replaces only the part of the knee that is damaged due to arthritis.
- The recovery time is usually faster than a total knee replacement surgery.
- For a quick and successful recovery, it is essential to follow the instructions of your doctor and physical therapist exactly.
- Be aware of any warning symptoms that may occur after surgery (e.g. chest pain, high fever, wound infection), and seek medical advice immediately if any of these occur.
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