Knee Replacement
Partial Knee Replacement in Surat
Partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement at Vedaant Orthopaedic Center, Surat — resurfacing only the worn part of the knee and keeping the rest of your own joint.
In short: A partial knee replacement resurfaces only the damaged compartment of the knee and leaves the healthy compartments and both cruciate ligaments intact. It suits arthritis confined to one side of the joint. Recovery is generally quicker than total replacement and the knee tends to feel more natural.
What a partial knee replacement is
The knee is not one joint surface but three compartments. Arthritis does not always attack all three. In a proportion of patients the wear is confined to the inner side, less often the outer side, while the remaining cartilage and both cruciate ligaments are still in good condition.
In that situation there is a choice. A total replacement would resurface all three compartments, including the two that are still healthy. A partial replacement resurfaces only the worn one, through a smaller incision, leaving the rest of your knee alone.
Because the anterior cruciate ligament is kept, the knee retains more of its natural movement pattern. Patients often report that a partial replacement feels more like their own knee than a total does. That is the main argument for it.
Who it suits
- Arthritis clearly confined to one compartment on weight-bearing X-rays
- An intact anterior cruciate ligament
- Reasonable range of movement before surgery
- Deformity that corrects when the knee is examined, rather than being fixed
- Pain localised to one side of the knee rather than felt throughout
Who it does not suit
Careful selection is the whole game with partial replacement. Performed on the wrong knee it fails early, and the patient ends up having a total replacement anyway — a worse outcome than doing the total in the first place.
- Arthritis in more than one compartment. The untreated compartments continue to wear and become painful.
- A deficient or torn anterior cruciate ligament. Without it the mechanics that a partial replacement relies on are absent.
- Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid, which affects the whole joint lining rather than one compartment.
- Significant fixed deformity that does not correct on examination.
- Substantial stiffness before surgery.
Partial compared with total knee replacement
| Partial | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Compartments treated | One | All three |
| Cruciate ligaments | Both usually kept | Anterior usually sacrificed |
| Bone removed | Less | More |
| Incision | Smaller | Larger |
| Early recovery | Generally quicker | Generally slower |
| Feel of the knee | Often closer to natural | More clearly a replaced joint |
| Suitability | A minority of arthritic knees | Most arthritic knees |
| If it later fails | Can usually be converted to a total | Would need revision surgery |
Neither option is better in the abstract. The right one depends on the pattern of wear in your knee, which is established on examination and weight-bearing X-rays.
Book an appointment
Wondering whether a partial replacement suits your knee?
Speak to the clinic directly. Open Monday to Saturday, and Sunday mornings.
4.9 from 565 Google reviews · MS Ortho (USA) · Surat
Recovery after partial knee replacement
| Stage | What to expect | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Less swelling and soft-tissue disturbance than a total replacement. | Standing and walking with support usually begins the same day or the next. |
| Week 1 | Discomfort settling; the smaller incision is generally less painful. | Walking indoors with support. Bending exercises started early. |
| Week 2–4 | Movement often returns faster than after a total replacement. | Support reduced as confidence returns. Physiotherapy continues. |
| Month 2–3 | Most everyday activity comfortable. | Return to desk work and driving once control is reliable. |
| Month 6+ | Settled function; the preserved ligaments help the knee feel natural. | Walking, cycling and swimming. High-impact sport still discouraged. |
Recovery varies between individuals and depends on your general health and the state of the knee before surgery.
Risks specific to partial replacement
- Progression of arthritis elsewhere in the knee. The compartments left alone can wear later, which may eventually require conversion to a total replacement.
- Bearing dislocation in mobile-bearing designs, uncommon but recognised.
- The general risks of joint surgery — infection, clots, stiffness and implant loosening — apply here as they do to any replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Is a partial knee replacement better than a total?
Neither is better in general. A partial preserves more of your own knee and often feels more natural, but it only works when arthritis is confined to one compartment. Used in the wrong knee it fails early.
How do I know if I am suitable?
Suitability is decided on examination and weight-bearing X-rays, which show whether the wear is confined to one compartment and whether the deformity corrects. Sometimes the final decision is confirmed during surgery.
Does a partial knee replacement last as long as a total?
Partial replacements have a somewhat higher rate of later revision than totals, largely because arthritis can progress in the compartments left alone. Against that, revision from a partial to a total is usually more straightforward than revising a failed total.
Will recovery really be faster?
Generally yes. Less bone is removed, the incision is smaller and the soft tissues are disturbed less, so early recovery tends to be quicker and more comfortable. Individual recovery still varies.
Can a partial be converted to a total later?
Yes. If arthritis progresses in the other compartments, a partial can usually be converted to a total replacement, and that conversion is typically less demanding than revising a failed total replacement.
Related treatments
Visit the clinic
Vedaant Orthopaedic CenterUG/9B Galloping Corridor, GD Goenka School Road
(Canal Road – VIP Road)
Surat, Gujarat 395007
| Monday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Sunday | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Medically reviewed by Dr Dev Padia, MS Ortho (USA)
Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Vedaant Orthopaedic Center, Surat.
Last reviewed:
The information on this website is for general guidance and does not replace a personal medical consultation. Please consult a qualified doctor about your own symptoms.