Partial Knee Replacement
Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Unicompartmental or partial knee arthroplasty (UKA) is indicated when degenerative changes are limited to only one compartment of the knee. In this procedure, only the affected compartment is replaced, preserving the unaffected parts of the knee and allowing for a more natural-feeling recovery.
Partial Knee Replacement
UKA replaces only the damaged part of the knee joint, unlike a total knee replacement where the entire joint surface is replaced.
Types of UKA
The procedure may be performed as a medial or lateral unicompartmental knee replacement, or as a patellofemoral knee replacement, depending on the affected compartment.
Most Common Type
Medial unicompartmental knee replacement is the most commonly performed form of partial knee arthroplasty.
Specialised Expertise
This is one of my specialties, and I have operated on many patients between 45 and 85 years of age with excellent results in the majority of cases.
When Is UKA Recommended?
UKA is considered when arthritis or degenerative damage is confined to a single compartment of the knee. Since only the affected part is replaced, this approach allows more of the natural knee to be preserved, including the healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments where appropriate.
By targeting only the diseased compartment, partial knee replacement can offer a faster recovery and better postoperative function in carefully selected patients.
Benefits of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
The benefits of UKA include less blood loss, quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay, increased range of motion, higher postoperative activity levels, and an earlier return to work. It also has lower infection rates and fewer perioperative complications when compared with more extensive replacement procedures in appropriately selected patients.
Experience and Results
This is once again one of my specialities, and I have treated many patients ranging from 45 to 85 years of age. With careful patient selection, precise surgical technique, and appropriate rehabilitation, I have seen excellent outcomes in most patients undergoing partial knee replacement.