Unicondylar/Partial Knee Replacement Surgery in Delhi, India

The benefits of Unicondylar knee replacement are as mentioned below:

Lesser Invasions

In this procedure, the surgeons do not open the entire knee. Instead, they make a small opening or cut in the affected area. This ensures less surgical injury to the surrounding soft tissues.

Less Surgical Complications

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

Quicker Recovery

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

Improves The Motion

Unicondylar knee replacement improves mobility, and the patient feels less pain and stiffness. It strengthens the knee and the surrounding area.

Preserves Natural Knee

When the surgeons do a unicondylar knee replacement, the healthy portion of the knee is kept untouched. This way, the natural tissue of the knee is preserved. Even if there is a minor degree of arthritis in the other parts of the knee, it can be managed with medicines.

Scope Of Extension

If the healthy section of the knee doesn't respond well to conventional medicine, partial replacement can be shifted to a total knee replacement. Even if someone has undergone a unicondylar knee replacement, they can opt for complete replacement, too, if required.

• The candidates eligible for this procedure include people who are over 55 years of age.
• Younger patients hindered by knee damage can also opt for partial or unicondylar knee replacement.
• The suitable candidates may be those who do not have rheumatoid arthritis, whose arthritis is localised to a specific part of the knee, and whose ligaments are in good condition.

• Unicondylar knee treatment is not suitable for persons with arthritis affecting more than one compartment and who have a severe angular deformity.
• Patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are not good candidates for unicondylar knee replacement.
• Even patients with unstable knees who had a previous osteotomy or were involved in heavy work or sports cannot be suitable to undergo unicondylar knee replacements.

Unicondylar knee replacement is performed by giving general or spinal anaesthesia. Generally, it takes 1 to 2 hours to complete.

• The surgeon makes an incision in the front portion of the knee close to the damaged area. It allows the surgeon to assess the knee's structure and ensure that other ligaments nearby are healthy and safe and that the damage is confined to only one specific area.
• If arthritis has affected several parts of the knee, then total knee arthroplasty has to be done.
• The surgeon extracts small cartilage and bone from the affected portions of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (the larger lower leg bone).
• These segments of bones are then replaced with metal prosthetics and fixed in place with cement.
• A plastic insert separates these metal implants at the ends of the bone. It allows the smooth and fluid motion of the joint after surgery.

It usually takes less time to recover from unicondylar knee surgery and is more comfortable than total knee replacement. It is less invasive and is followed by a smaller incision. It requires a hospital stay of about 1 to 3 days.

After the procedure, most patients require an assisting device such as crutches or a walker for a week or two to prevent stress on the knee during the healing time. Physiotherapy is essential since it helps regain the knee's strength and flexibility. The patients are expected to completely recover within six weeks and resume regular activities, including sports and exercises.

As Unicondylar knee replacement is a shorter and less invasive procedure, the risks are smaller. However, some common chances of unicondylar knee replacements are:

• Infection
• Clotting of blood
• 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

The success rate of unicondylar knee replacement is about 90 to 95%. It means that 90% of people will not face any complications after the treatment for about 10 years. However, recovery tips suggested by the doctor have to be followed, and certain activities should be avoided.

If you're experiencing knee pain and limited mobility due to osteoarthritis, Unicondylar Knee Replacement may be your solution.

Contact us at Max Healthcare to learn more about this minimally invasive and effective procedure and schedule a consultation with our qualified orthopaedic surgeon.

Review

Reviewed by Dr. Ramneek Mahajan, Senior Director (Orthopaedics) & Head Joint Reconstruction (Hip & Knee) Unit - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Arthroscopy & Sports Injury, Robotic Surgery.