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Patient hiking comfortably after partial knee replacement surgery

Written by Barton Harris, MD

Targeted Treatment

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

Partial knee replacement (unicompartmental knee arthroplasty) replaces only the damaged compartment of the knee, leaving the healthy bone, cartilage, and the ACL and PCL ligaments intact. It is performed through a 3-4 inch incision, often with robotic assistance to match the implant to the patient's anatomy. It is an option when pain is localized to one side of the knee and the ACL is intact. It can be converted to a total knee replacement later if arthritis develops in other parts of the knee.

Why replace the whole garage when you only need to fix the door? Fix only what's broken and keep your natural knee mechanics.

What is a Partial Knee?

The knee is divided into three compartments: the inside (medial), outside (lateral), and front (patellofemoral). Osteoarthritis often affects only one of these areas.

Partial Knee Replacement (Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty) replaces only the damaged compartment. It preserves the healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments in the rest of the knee. This is a more conservative approach that bridges the gap between biological treatments and total knee replacement.

Partial vs. Total Knee

Ligaments (ACL/PCL)Preserved (Natural feel)Often Sacrificed

Incision Size3-4 inches6-8 inches

Bone RemovalMinimal (Damaged only)Significant (All surfaces)

Recovery TimeWeeksMonths

Why Consider Partial?

For the right candidate, it offers a superior recovery experience.

Minimally Invasive

Requires a significantly smaller incision than total knee replacement, leading to less tissue trauma.

Natural Feel

Because the ACL and PCL ligaments are preserved, the knee often feels more 'normal' to patients.

Keep Healthy Bone

Only the damaged portion of the knee is resurfaced. Healthy bone and cartilage are left untouched.

Faster Recovery

Less surgical work means a shorter hospital stay (often outpatient) and quicker return to life.

Fast-Track Recovery

Day 0

Surgery

Outpatient procedure. Patients walk immediately after anesthesia wears off.

Week 1

Rapid Healing

Little to no need for walking aids. Incision heals quickly.

Week 3-4

Near Normal

Many patients return to work and low-impact exercise.

Month 2

Full Activity

Return to golf, tennis, and hiking. The knee feels stable and natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

You are typically a candidate if your pain is localized to only one side of the knee (usually the inside) and your ACL is intact. X-rays and a physical exam with Dr. Harris will confirm this.

Modern partial knee replacements have excellent longevity, often lasting 15-20 years or more. If arthritis eventually develops in other parts of the knee, it can be converted to a total knee later.

While we generally advise against long-distance running to preserve the implant, partial knee patients often tolerate impact activities (like jogging, tennis, skiing) much better than total knee patients because of the preserved ligaments.

Yes, partial knee replacements are often performed with robotic assistance to ensure the implant is placed perfectly to match your natural anatomy.

Ready to Get Back to Your Active Lifestyle?

Schedule a consultation to discuss your joint replacement options and learn how outpatient surgery can help you recover faster.

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(804) 939-6648

Location

8200 Meadowbridge Rd #200, Mechanicsville, VA 23116

Office Hours

Mon - Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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