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Lifespan’s A - Z Health Information Library |
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Unicompartmental knee arthroplastyDefinitionUnicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is surgery to replace either the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) compartments of the knee. Because only part of the damaged knee is replaced, it is often called a partial knee replacement. See also: Total knee replacement Alternative NamesPartial knee replacement; Knee replacement - partial; Unicondylar knee replacement; Arthroplasty - unicompartmental knee; UKA DescriptionYou may receive either general anesthesia (asleep, no pain) or local anesthesia (awake but no pain). The surgeon will make a small cut about 3 inches long over the knee that is damaged. The damaged bone is removed and replaced with an implant (prosthetic) made of plastic and metal. The thigh and shin bone may be slightly shaped to fit the implant. Once the implant is in the proper place, it is secured with bone cement, and the wound is closed with stitches. The operation takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. UKA has gone under significant changes since first performed in the 1970s. Today, the procedure offers many benefits over total knee replacement, including:
Pain relief is the same for both procedures. Why the Procedure Is PerformedCertain diseases and conditions can affect knee function. The most common reason for UKA is arthritis. This procedure may be considered in patients with the following conditions:
Patients age 60 and up who are not physically active and who have no history of inflammatory arthritis are good candidates for this procedure. UKA is not recommended for patients who:
RisksRisks for anesthesia include:
Risks for any surgery include:
Risks for UKA include:
After the ProcedureMost patients have a rapid recovery and have considerably less pain than they did before surgery. Outlook (Prognosis)Most patients go home the day after surgery (unlike the 3 or 4 days required by a total knee replacement). You can put your full weight on your knee immediately. There is usually less rehabilitation or physical therapy required compared to total knee replacement. Most forms of exercise are acceptable after surgery, including walking, swimming, and biking. However, you should avoid high-impact activities such as jogging. ReferencesBerger RA, Meneghini RM, Jacobs JJ, et al. Results of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty at a minimum of ten years of follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(5):999-1006. Patil S, Colwell CW Jr, Ezzet KA, et al. Can normal knee kinematics be restored with unicompartmental knee replacement? J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(2):332-338. Review Date: 5/5/2008
Reviewed By: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. The information provided herein should not be used during any
medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical
condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for
diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911
for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for
information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those
other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the
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