Is Partial Knee Replacement Right for You? Five Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
5/24/2024
Gustavo Barrazueta, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon
Carlsbad Medical Center
Is anyone you know over the age of 50 completely free from knee pain? It seems everyone suffers from stiff or painful knees at least occasionally, and research indicates that 32.5 million adults are battling osteoarthritis. Until the age of 50, the condition is equally common in men and women, but its prevalence in women increases after 50. As the U.S. population ages and becomes more active later in life, the demand for stronger and healthier knees continues to drive innovation in the medical community.
Candidates for knee replacement have traditionally been those suffering from significant pain and limited mobility due to osteoarthritis. But as patients become increasingly active in their 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s, we are continually challenged to develop and provide new and better clinical solutions. Most patients are no longer content with just being able to walk without pain at age 70 – now they demand strong and flexible joints that allow them to do activities like hike, bike and play tennis.
While osteoarthritis can be caused or worsened by injury or inflammatory conditions, the primary factor is your genetic makeup. Osteoarthritis is the wearing away of the connective tissue – or cartilage – in a joint. Cartilage prevents one bone from scraping against another, acts as a shock absorber and allows for smooth and stable movement within the joint. Because the durability of cartilage is a genetic factor, many people end up with osteoarthritis simply because it runs in the family.
Early treatments often consist of weight loss programs, anti-inflammatory medications and injection therapies to help supplement the lost cartilage and minimize pain. When these remedies are no longer sufficient, and the patient’s quality of life is at risk, knee replacement is often the next step – and is surprisingly common. Approximately 800,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed each year in the U.S. Statistics suggest that this number will rise to a staggering 3.5 million cases annually by 2030.
Total vs. Partial Knee Replacement
Partial knee replacement surgeries have been around for many years and were once reserved for older patients who lived mostly sedentary lifestyles. Now, younger patients often prefer partial knee replacement, as their recovery is quicker and less painful. It’s estimated that about 1 in 20 patients with arthritic knees are eligible for partial knee procedures.
There are three compartments of the knee joint, but the inner – or medial – area is the most likely to experience cartilage breakdown. When arthritis is present in only one of the joint’s compartments, and it doesn’t respond to non-surgical treatments, the patient may be a good candidate for partial knee replacement, offering them less pain and recovery time than a full replacement.
When deciding on any surgical treatment plan, your surgeon will consider your current health status and complication risks, your lifestyle and physical demands, and your ability to coordinate the downtime and therapy you will need for recovery in post-surgery. You should be fully open with your doctor about these issues, so they can identify whether a full or partial knee procedure is the safest and most beneficial path for you.
If you decide to proceed with a partial knee replacement, be sure to ask your surgeon these five questions:
- What kind of prosthesis will you use and why?
- What will my recovery look like, and when should I expect to return to my job/family/social activities?
- Once my partial knee resurfacing is complete, will I be arthritis free?
- What are the long-term expectations for my new joint? What can I expect 5, 10 and 20 years post-surgery?
- What are the potential complications of surgery, and what can I do to minimize them?
Whether you decide on a full or partial replacement of your knee joint, be sure you have considered and shared your concerns, expectations and current medical issues with your surgeon. Millions of people worldwide have improved their lives dramatically thanks to joint replacement surgery.
To take a free, online joint pain quiz or to learn more about joint replacement surgery visit www.YourOrthopedicHealth.com/carlsbad.
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