Partial knee replacement is where the bone surfaces of only one compartment of the knee joint are removed and replaced with implants, as compared to that of multiple compartments in the case of a total knee replacement. It is a common treatment for unicompartmental arthritis.

“Patients with unicompartmental knee arthritis have cartilage degeneration in only one section or compartment of the knee. In cases where nonsurgical techniques do not provide symptom relief, surgeons can remove damaged cartilage and bone in the diseased area only, while preserving the ligaments that help support the knee joint”.

An implant − which may also be called a prosthesis − takes the place of the damaged area of the knee, leaving the other compartments intact. Improvements in surgical techniques and instrumentation have made partial knee replacement an increasingly viable option for a growing number of patients. In fact, recent data suggests that anywhere from 10% to 25% of all patients with osteoarthritis of the knee needing replacement surgery may be eligible for the procedure. (Find a surgeon at HSS who performs partial knee replacement.)

Is partial knee resurfacing the same thing as partial knee replacement ?

Yes. Partial knee replacement is also referred to as "partial knee resurfacing surgery," "unicompartmental knee replacement," "unicondylar knee arthroplasty" or "unicondylar knee replacement." Colloquially, it is also sometimes called a "uni." (People sometimes also refer to it as a “half knee replacement,” however this is not accurate, since the procedure involves only one of the knee’s three major compartments.)

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