Surgical details
- Small (4 inch) incision
- Minimal resection of bone
- Cement is used to attach the prosthesis to the bones (uncemented options are also available)
- Surgical time about 45 - 60 minutes
- Home the same or the next day
- Walking without walking aids within 2 - 3 weeks
- 2 to 3 months of rehabilitation time
The partial knee replacement surgery is done in an operating room under general or spinal anaesthetic. The incision varies from 3 to 4 inches depending on the size of the knee.
The goal of the operation is to preserve as much bone as possible. We use bone cement to attach the prosthesis to the bone although uncemented implants are also available.
The prosthesis on the femoral side (thighbone surface) is a metal alloy. On the tibial side, it is either all plastic, or metal and plastic.
The surgery takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Patient should be able to go home on crutches the same day or the next day.
There usually is some pain and swelling for the first several days, but it should be controlled well with painkillers. With proper rehabilitation, the patient can expect to walk without aids within 2 to 3 weeks of surgery. The total rehabilitation time is about 2 to 3 months.
