Partial Knee Replacement
Partial knee replacement in Delhi is an alternative to total knee replacement for some patients with osteoarthritis of the knee when the damage is limited to a particular compartment of the knee. In the past, partial knee replacement was reserved for elderly patients who were involved in few activities, but with implants and improved surgical techniques, more patients are now being considered for partial knee replacement compared to a few years ago. About 5% to 6% of patients with arthritic knees are considered eligible for partial knee replacement, says best knee surgeon in Delhi.
How common is knee osteoarthritis?
It is estimated that up to 30% of the population has knee osteoarthritis. Until age 50, knee osteoarthritis is equally common in men and women. After 50, more women are affected, says orthopaedic in Delhi.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of connective tissue called articular cartilage within the joint. Articular cartilage prevents rubbing between one bone against another. The cartilage acts as a shock absorber of the impacts on the joint and allows stable and smooth movements within the joint. When the cartilage becomes thinner, the joint may become inflamed and you may feel pain and stiffness in the joint and your range of motion may be limited, says orthopaedic in Najafgarh.
What is a partial knee replacement?
In partial knee replacement in west Delhi, only the damaged part of the knee cartilage is replaced by a prosthesis.
What are the advantages of partial knee replacement over total knee replacement?
Compared with total knee replacement, partial knee replacement preserves better range of motion and function of the knee because it preserves healthy bones and tissues in the knee. For these reasons, patients tend to be more satisfied with partial knee replacement compared to total knee replacement, and they are still candidates for a total knee replacement if they need it in the future. There is also less blood loss during surgery, and the movement of the knee recovers faster with partial knee replacement, says orthopaedic in Tilak Nagar.
Who is a candidate for partial knee replacement?
Patients with medial, lateral, or patellofemoral knee osteoarthritis may be considered for partial knee replacement. "Medial" refers to the internal compartment of the joint, which is the compartment closest to the opposite knee, while "lateral" refers to the outer compartment furthest from the opposite knee. Medial knee osteoarthritis is commonly caused by damage to the cartilages of the knee, known as the meniscus.
Patellofemoral osteoarthritis is osteoarthritis of the joint between the kneecap (patella) and the lower leg bone (femur). This type of knee osteoarthritis is more common than osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment of the knee.
If your knee pain persists despite anti-inflammatory medications and maintaining a healthy weight, you may want to consider a knee replacement, says orthopaedic in Vikaspuri.
Your doctor will ask you to identify the area of pain in your knee, then examine your range of motion and stability of the knee. An X-ray examination of the knee will determine your eligibility for partial knee replacement but the surgeon will not know for sure if you are a good candidate until the surgery has begun. To be a candidate, you must have the anterior cruciate ligament intact, a sufficient range of motion of the knee, limited inflammation, minimal pain at rest, damage to one compartment only, and no calcification of the cartilage or dislocation of the knee.
In the past, partial knee replacement was considered only in patients older than 60 years who were sedentary but lately, more active patients are progressively being considered.
How is the recovery?
You can start moving the knee the day after joint replacement surgery in Delhi. The function of your knee should return quickly and with less pain than with total knee replacement. You will work with a physical therapist to mobilize the knee while you are in the hospital and for 2 to 4 weeks after discharge, which usually occurs in no more than 1 or 2 days after surgery.
You will need medications to prevent the formation of blood clots while you are in the hospital and possibly for a period of time after you are discharged.
If all goes well, you should return to a full activity in about 1 month. Impact or jogging / running exercises may not be recommended because the replacement includes a support surface that can be damaged.
What are the risks?
An infection at the surgery site is possible. Blood clots are a risk, as are injuries to blood vessels or nerves. These complications are quite rare. You may experience some stiffness in the knee joint.
Late complications include infections and failure, detachment, or dislocation of the prosthesis as well as continuous pain.