Ballywho News

Our knees carry us everywhere we go, even working when we sit down. They are a vital part of an active adult’s independent lifestyle. Yet over time, these joints can wear down, causing pain, stiffness, and loss of function. Thanks to advances in medical technology, patients no longer have to let knee pain sideline them from their favorite activities. For many patients, partial knee resurfacing offers an excellent alternative to total knee replacement.

Who’s a Candidate?

Most patients who need knee replacements are older and suffer knee pain due to some form of arthritis. They are often the best candidates for partial knee resurfacing. Because the artificial joints used for this procedure are less robust than total joint replacements, partial knee resurfacing works best for patients who are not extremely active.

Partial knee resurfacing is also reserved for patients whose knees are only damaged in one location. The knee consists of three components: the medial (inside) compartment; the lateral (outside) compartment; and the patellofemoral compartment (the kneecap). If arthritis or other injury affects only one of these areas, partial knee resurfacing may be an option. Doctors may perform one of these partial knee resurfacing options:

• Unicompartmental knee resurfacing: During this procedure, the surgeon replaces the parts of the knee at the end of the femur (thigh bone) or tibia (shin bone).
• Patellofemoral knee resurfacing: In this surgery, the orthopedist replaces only the damaged sections of the trochlea (the groove at the end of the thigh bone) and the patella.

How the Procedure Works

A partial knee resurfacing begins with a three- to four-inch incision in the knee. The doctor then removes the damaged surface of the knee, working to preserve as much healthy tissue and bone as possible. Once the worn sections are removed, the doctor can place the artificial joint. Held in place with special medical cement, the new joint may be made of metal or a synthetic material. Your doctor can show you what the implant looks like, and how it works, before the procedure.

After the artificial joint has been placed, the doctor closes the incision, and the partial knee resurfacing is complete. Although recovery time varies, most patients are released from the hospital within a few days of the surgery. Patients should also attend physical therapy in the weeks following their surgery, to ensure proper rehabilitation.

Benefits of Partial Knee Resurfacing

Patients who qualify for partial knee resurfacing enjoy multiple benefits. The procedure doesn’t require any interruption of the main muscle that controls the knee, making it considerably less invasive than a total knee replacement. As a result, partial knee resurfacing patients usually experience the following advantages:

• Shorter recovery time
• Fewer complications
• Less postoperative pain
• Speedier return to daily activities
• Shorter incision, resulting in less scarring

If you’d like more information about partial knee resurfacing or other orthopedic procedures, please contact us at St. Lucie Medical Center. Visit us online or call Consult-a-Nurse® at 1-800-382-3522 for answers to your questions and free physician referrals.