What is Partial Lateral Knee Replacement?
Partial lateral knee replacement is a surgery to replace only the lateral part of your damaged knee. It is also called unicompartmental knee replacement.
The knee is one of the largest and complex joints in your body. The joint is connected to your thigh bones and bones of the lower leg by various ligaments. The knee joint is made of three compartments. The lateral, the medial and the patellofemoral compartment. The outside part of the knee is the lateral compartment. It consists of a Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL).
What are the Indications for Partial Lateral Knee Replacement?
Lateral knee replacement is less common when compared to a medial and total knee replacement. Aging and joint conditions such as osteoarthritis cause breakdown of the cartilage leading to pain and inflammation which may not respond to pain medicine or non-surgical treatment and may require surgery. Lateral knee replacement is necessary when your knee bends outwards.
What is the Procedure for Partial Lateral Knee Replacement?
- Surgery is performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. The surgical procedure involves the following steps:
- You are positioned to lie on your back (supine position).
- The surgery is usually performed by arthroscopy. An arthroscope is a narrow tube with a tiny video camera on one end. The structures inside the knee are visible to your surgeon on a monitor in the operating room.
- A few small incisions are made at the lateral side of the knee and an arthroscope is inserted to view the surgical area.
- The damaged cartilage at the lateral portion of your knee is debrided. Some amount of bone may also be removed.
- Debridement of some part of the distal femoral portion may be involved.
- Metal components with a spacer in between are replaced at the lateral side of your knee to allow smooth gliding.
- The incisions are closed and covered with a bandage.
What Happens After Partial Lateral Knee Replacement?
You may have to stay at the hospital for about 3 days. Your doctor prescribes pain medications to keep you comfortable. Your physiotherapist teaches you how to use your walker or crutches and may begin with light weight-bearing exercises. Specific physical exercises will be given to help you recover fast. You should regularly follow-up with your surgeon. You may return to sports after a few months with your surgeon’s approval.
What are the Complications of Partial Lateral Knee Replacement?
Complications are rare. Some of the possible complications may include:
- Formation of blood clots
- Surgical site infection
- Wear and tear of the implant
- Injuries to ligaments or nerves
- Dislocation of the implant
- Patella problems
What are the Advantages of Partial Lateral Knee Replacement?
The advantages of partial lateral knee replacement surgery include:
- Smaller incision
- Minimum bone removal
- Shorter hospital stay
- Shorter recovery period
- Blood transfusion rarely required
- Better movement in the knee
- Less need for physiotherapy
- Able to be more active than after a total knee replacement
