The uni-compartmental knee is implanted via a minimally invasive surgical approach that reduces soft tissue trauma and may result in faster healing. The partial knee allows the surgeon to replace only the diseased or damaged areas of a knee rather than having to replace the entire joint. The procedure is usually done on younger patients who experience knee joint pain, but may not yet have a severe enough osteoarthritic condition that would make them a candidate for a total knee replacement.
“Because we use smaller incisions and disrupt less soft tissue, patients can have the procedure done on an out patient basis. Recovery time is significantly reduced,” said Haar. “The implant combined with the procedure offers a new solution to patients looking for pain relief who may not yet be candidates for a total knee replacement.”
The knee has three compartments or surfaces. The end of the femur has two condyles or knobs, and these come into contact with the lower leg bone or tibia and form two compartments. The third compartment is located where the underside of the kneecap contacts the femur. A partial knee replacement is often warranted when the cartilage between the condyles and the tibia has worn away resulting in a painful, debilitating condition know as osteoarthritis. In a partial knee replacement only the damaged surface of the knee joint is replaced, minimizing trauma to surrounding bone and ligaments and leaving the other compartments of the knee relatively untouched. The partial knee replacement is done through a three-inch to four-inch incision. The end of the femur and the top of the tibia where the cartilage has worn away are resurfaced to accept the femoral component (made of metal) and the tibial component (made of plastic).
A total knee, in contrast, replaces all three compartments of the knee joint with metal and plastic. Since the components are larger the incision is usually longer and patients suffer some damage to their ligaments while also loosing two additional compartments of the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which is normally retained in uni surgery is sacrificed in total knee replacement surgery.
“A uni-compartmental implant combined with this minimally invasive procedure is a good option for patients who may just have begun to experience the negative effects of osteoarthritis and joint pain,” said Haar. “Because so much of the patient’s own joint is preserved and the ligaments are not cut a patient may heal faster. Also, a patient who gets this implant can still convert to a total knee replacement in the future. In the meantime, however, he or she can get back 10 years of active, pain-free living.”
“Some of the many benefits of partial knee replacement surgery in our ambulatory surgical center setting,” said Haar, “is that it is convenient and patient friendly with the latest state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment. In addition, our ambulatory center provides for on-time scheduling, which benefits both the patient and the medical staff.”
The minimally invasive nature of this procedure has the potential to promote faster patient recovery. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 300,000 total knee replacements are performed annually in the United States. Many patients often live with debilitating pain for years until they become candidates for total knee replacement. A substantial percentage of this group could benefit from an early intervention joint replacement device such as the uni-knee. These individuals can take back their active lifestyles, regain years of mobility and freedom that would otherwise been sacrificed by joint pain.
Carnegie Hill Surgical Center is an accredited surgical facility on the Manhattan premises of the Haar Orthopedic Institute in New York.
Source: Carnegie Hill Surgical Center