Knee pain can be all-consuming and a detriment to your day-to-day life. Whether it’s soreness at the end of the day, difficulty performing everyday tasks, or pain when exercising, no one should have to constantly battle knee pain. 

If you’re suffering from consistent knee pain, and non-operative methods have been ineffective, a partial knee replacement could help get you moving comfortably again. In order to better understand if a partial knee replacement is right for you, we must first understand what a partial knee replacement is, as well as the symptoms that might cause someone to need a partial knee replacement.

What is a partial knee replacement? 

A partial knee replacement is a surgical procedure for individuals with damage to their knees that cause them to suffer from pain and a loss of mobility. During a partial knee replacement, the surgeon will remove the damaged parts of the joint, usually localized to one of the three compartments of the joint.  It will then be replaced with a plastic, ceramic, or metal piece. These implants will work together with the original healthy parts of the joint to provide pain-free joint use and increase mobility. 

A successful partial knee replacement will be mostly healed in 4-12 weeks, though getting the full benefit from the surgery can take up to one year. After 4-12 weeks, the patient can get back to the regular activities and sports they enjoyed prior to the surgery. Perhaps more importantly, over 90% of partial knee replacements provide full mobility and comfort for more than a decade. 

Partial knee replacement vs. total knee replacement 

The decision between a partial knee replacement or a total knee replacement is a big choice. You should consult with your surgeon and see which procedure is the best option for you, but first let’s get a better understanding of the differences and similarities between the two. 

As we discussed above, in a partial knee replacement, the surgeon will remove the most damaged sections of the joint and replace them with artificial parts. The new artificial parts will work in combination with the healthy section of the original joint.

In contrast, a total knee replacement involves the surgeon removing the entire joint and replacing it with a metal, plastic, or ceramic joint. A total knee replacement has a longer recovery time since it is more invasive than a partial knee replacement. 

Signs you might need a partial or total knee replacement

You might be a candidate for a partial knee replacement if you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, or suffer from pain associated with knee arthritis:

• Consistent pain in the knee
• Stiffness and swelling around the joint
• Decrease in mobility
• Difficulty completing everyday tasks because of pain
• Trouble sleeping due to pain
• Non-operative treatment methods are or are becoming ineffective 

If you have been diagnosed with knee arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriasis, you are more likely to wear down healthy cartilage in the knees, which leads to rapid deterioration of the joint. Because of the nature of these ailments, people with knee arthritis are more likely to need some sort of operative knee surgery during the course of their lives.

How long does a partial knee replacement last?

Partial knee replacements have a lifetime similar to the rates of those who undergo total knee replacements. 92.9% of partial knee replacements still function well after ten years, and 87.8% of replacements last 15 years, according to a study done in 2020. The lifespan of these artificial joints is dependent on the type of usage, age, and health of the patient. An artificial joint in someone who frequently participates in high-impact sports might have a shorter lifetime than someone who doesn’t. 97% of patients said they were pleased with their partial knee replacement outcome. 

What happens during partial knee replacement surgery?

Before a partial knee replacement, the surgeon and their team will review your medical history and most recent X-rays to determine an appropriate plan and decide which types of artificial pieces they will use. Once in the operating room, the surgical team will locate the damaged cartilage and bone, remove it, and replace it with the artificial pieces. The procedure usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Afterward, you can expect to be leave the facility the same day or the next day. The staff will check your progress and develop a post-operative plan, including physical therapy.