What is a partial knee replacement?

A partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure where only the damaged or diseased parts of the knee joint are replaced with artificial implants. Unlike total knee replacement, which involves replacing the entire knee joint, partial knee replacement focuses on one compartment of the knee, either the medial (inner), lateral (outer), or patellofemoral (front) compartment. This procedure is suitable for patients who have arthritis or damage confined to only one part of the knee joint, preserving the healthy portions of the knee and potentially resulting in a quicker recovery and more natural feeling knee post-surgery compared to a total knee replacement.