Partial Knee Replacement (PKR)

What is Partial Knee Replacement?

Partial Knee Replacement, also called Uni-compartmental Knee Replacement is a minimally invasive surgery. In this operation only the damaged parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced by artificial parts or joint prosthesis.

Where can I get Partial Knee Replacement?

Country	Cost with MedSolution
France	$17,004 - single (inquire)
India	$6,100 - single (inquire)
India	$6,438 - both (inquire)

Cost of procedure performed in the US: $20,000 (single), $35,000 (double).

All prices are in US dollars and include the cost of the procedure and minimum hospital stay. Estimates and minimum hospital stay will vary depending upon individual needs and requirements.

Who are the ideal candidates for Partial Knee Replacement?

Partial Knee Replacement is indicated if you have arthritis that is not advanced enough and there is conserved bone and cartilage which can be salvaged from timely surgical intervention. The procedure for Partial Knee Replacement is most beneficial if your arthritis is confined to a single compartment of the knee joint. In addition Partial Knee Replacement is recommended if you are older than 55 years of age, if you are not obese, if you have a relatively sedentary lifestyle, and if the ligaments of your knee joint are intact.

What is the pre-operative routine for Partial Knee Replacement?

The pre-operative routine for Partial Knee Replacement consists of physical examination, x-ray, laboratory testing of blood and urine, and detailed history of past illnesses, surgeries, medications and allergies (if any). You may also be advised to visit your physical therapist that may provide a brief overview of the rehabilitation process after Partial Knee Replacement surgery.

What is the procedure for Partial Knee Replacement?

The procedure of Partial Knee Replacement allows your surgeon to access and replace only the diseased portion of the knee. Here is a brief description of Partial Knee Replacement procedure: The knee joint is exposed with an incision that is 3-4 inch in length. The knee joint is properly balanced. The end of the femur and top of the tibia are shaped with specialized instruments to snugly fit the implants. The surgeon places trial components to ensure proper alignment of all the parts of the knee joint. Once all the parts are properly aligned, the trial components are removed and the prosthetic components are implanted. The incision is then sutured.

What happens in the post-operative period following Partial Knee Replacement?

Hospital stay may range from 1 – 5 days depending on the general condition of the patient. Physiotherapy starts immediately after the Partial Knee Replacement operation while in hospital. This is continued in the outpatient department after discharge from hospital. Most often, the final range of motion achieved is similar to the range of motion prior to Partial Knee Replacement surgery. Usually, sutures or staples are removed in about two weeks time. There might be some (though minimal) residual discomfort and swelling that usually settles down in the next few months. Standard follow up is at 8 weeks, 6 months, and one year after Partial Knee Replacement. After this, yearly follow-up with X-rays is recommended, to allow early detection of possible problems with the prosthesis.

What is the outcome of Partial Knee Replacement?

It is very difficult to predict the life span of any individual knee implant. However, with good surgical technique of Partial Knee Replacement coupled with accurate instrumentation combined with proper patient selection, you can enjoy a trouble free life up to 10 years and beyond.

B . R . A . N . D . of Partial Knee Replacement

Benefits of Partial Knee Replacement

• A much smaller incision (3 – 4 inches) vs. 8 – 12 inches (Total Knee Replacement)
• Faster recovery, reduced hospital stay
• No disruption of the knee cap
• Minimal blood loss during surgery.
• Decreased post-operative pain and use of medications
• You can walk within 3-4 hours after surgery.
• Highly successful results of Partial Knee Replacement due to the use of state-of-the-art instruments and techniques

Risks of Partial Knee Replacement

• Thrombophlebitis or deep vein thrombosis of the leg veins – this happens when blood clots get lodged in the large veins of the legs. This can be prevented by using blood thinning medication (which are usually prescribed following the Partial Knee Replacement surgery), elastic stockings, foot and ankle exercises to increase blood flow and enhance venous return in the lower leg
• Infection at the site of incision for Partial Knee Replacement
• Pneumonia – This can be prevented by deep breathing exercises which is beautifully illustrated by the analogy “ smell the roses……………and blow out the candles”.
• Knee stiffness – Begin range of motion exercises and a walking on the same or the next day of Partial Knee Replacement surgery.

Alternatives to Partial Knee Replacement

• Life style modifications - This may include weight loss to reduce excessive stress on your knee joints, avoid activities such as running and twisting, which can worsen the damage to the knee joint, and do low or no impact exercises to keep the damage to a minimum.
• Pain and anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications are available over-the-counter (e.g. Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve) or as a prescription (e.g. Celebrex, Bextra). NSAIDs are effective at pain relief (analgesia), and to reduce swelling (anti-inflammatory).
• Intra-articular injections – Two medications are commonly used for this purpose; cortisone and synvisc. These medications can be injected into the knee joint (intra-articularly). They provide temporary relief of pain and inflammation in the knee joint, thus helping through the delay and waiting period before Partial Knee Replacement surgery.
• Bracing - Braces are devices made of plastic, metal, leather and/or foam, and are designed to stabilize a joint, reduce knee pain and inflammation, and strengthen the muscles of the knee.
• Joint fluid therapy – This kind of treatment involves intra-articular injections to increase lubrication in the knee joint. This method of treatment to relieves pain and is most often used to avoid or delay Partial Knee Replacement surgery.

Now or Never

• Partial Knee Replacement can be considered a timely management of knee arthritis. You can take care of the damage to your knee before the advanced disease sets in which warrants a more invasive procedure. This minimally invasive procedure of Partial Knee Replacement is an excellent choice if you are young and would like to enjoy full range of activities as soon as possible without having to make any further compromises.

Decision to have Partial Knee Replacement

• Once you have had Partial Knee Replacement and completed your rehabilitation period, your knee should have a nearly full range of motion, sufficient enough to enable you to conduct your daily activities with independence and free from fear or worry. You can rid yourself of unnecessarily agonizing pain and even enjoy recreational activities like walking, swimming, golf, driving, light hiking, recreational biking, ballroom dancing, and stair climbing without difficulty.