Is knee pain getting in the way of things you enjoy doing? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to explain everything you need you know about partial knee replacement.
Getting your knee replaced is a life-changing decision that could impact your life in several ways. Therefore, Dr. Presley Swann, who is a skilled knee and hip orthopedic doctor in Denver, has taken the time out to discuss important factors that people should know, especially those who are planning for a knee replacement themselves.
Understanding partial knee replacement
People seek partial knee replacement when their knee has been damaged from osteoarthritis, which is confined to one compartment. In this situation, only one party of the knee is replaced. Because of its quick and painless recovery, partial knee replacement is more common in young and active individuals.
Diving in deeper
As the name suggests, partial knee replacement is an alternative to complete or total knee replacement but is only beneficial for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. As mentioned above, partial knee replacement is done when damage is confined to a particular section of the knee. In this surgery, only the damaged area of the knee cartilage is replaced with a prosthesis.
Initially, partial knee replacement was only suitable for senior patients who were involved in physical activities, but now young people are opting for partial knee replacement as their recovery is quick and involves less pain. Around 5% to 6% of patients with arthritic knees are likely eligible for partial knee replacement.
Understanding osteoarthritis?
To simply explain, osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the primary connective tissue known as articular cartilage inside the joint. This connective tissue prevents one bone from rubbing or scarping against another. You might have seen shock absorbers in skyscrapers; the cartilage functions the same way, absorbing shocks and allowing for a smooth and steady movement within the joint. As we age, or due to injuries, the cartilage thins, this causes the joint to inflame, making you feel stiffness and pain in the joint, and that’s not all; your range of motion might also be limited due to the severe pain.
Is knee osteoarthritis a common issue?
Almost 30% of the US population is estimated to have signs of knee osteoarthritis. At the age of 50, knee osteoarthritis becomes equally common in men and women. After age 50, more women than men are affected.
Who is right for partial knee replacement?
People with lateral, medial, knee osteoarthritis can go for partial knee replacement. You must be thinking of what “medial” means? It refers to the inside compartment of the joint, which is the section nearest the opposite knee, while “lateral” typically refers to the outside section, which is farthest from the opposite knee. According to the present data, medial knee joint degeneration is typically the most common condition of arthritis.
What other factors should you consider?
Being overweight is the biggest factor for knee pain, but if you’re maintaining a healthy weight and taking anti-inflammatory drugs, which still doesn’t help you manage your pain, then you should consider a knee replacement.
Your knee replacement surgeon will ask you to identify the area of pain in your knee, and then you’ll be assessed for your knee’s range of motion. Commonly, an X-ray of the troubled knee will determine the eligibility for partial knee replacement.
You must have a proper range of knee motion, an intact anterior cruciate ligament, a stable knee and damage to only one compartment, and that’s not all; the severity of the deformity is also considered.
It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old because partial knee replacement surgery is being considered by both young and old.
Dr Swann is here to help
If you feel pain and stiffness in your knee(s), then you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Presley Swann is a trained professional who will go the extra mile in taking away the pain from your life. Dr. Swann is trained in robotic, ACL-preserving partial and total knee replacement surgery in Denver! He is also a specialist in hip dysplasia surgery, hip resurfacing, and periacetabular osteotomy. Whether you need a knee replacement doctor or a hip doctor, Dr. Swann is the surgeon for you.
