Unicompartmental knee replacement, also known as partial knee replacement, is a surgical procedure used to treat osteoarthritis in one part of the knee joint. In this procedure, only the damaged or diseased part of the knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant. This is in contrast to total knee replacement, in which the entire knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant.
The procedure is less invasive than total knee replacement, and typically results in a quicker recovery time and less post-operative pain. Additionally, the procedure can help preserve the natural knee joint, which can be beneficial for younger patients or those with less severe arthritis.
However, not all patients are candidates for unicompartmental knee replacement. The procedure is typically only recommended for patients with arthritis limited to one part of the knee joint and who have good range of motion and stability in the rest of the knee joint. Additionally, long-term outcomes for unicompartmental knee replacement may not be as favorable as total knee replacement, particularly for patients with more severe arthritis.