Human body is a most delicate and complicated machine. A minor fault in any part of the body may inhibit the physical function. That is why, to stay healthy means to be happy. The knee joint a vital body part stops functioning properly when it suffers a severe injury or undergoes a serious disorder. Knee replacement is a surgical treatment to get relief from the painful symptoms of any knee joint disorder. It is knee arthroplasty in medical language. Difference between Partial and Total Knee Replacements Partial knee replacement is another surgical treatment, known as unicompartmental knee arthoplasty, for knee joint ailments. In this surgical procedure carried by orthopedic surgeons, the outer or inner part of the damaged knee joint is replaced with a metal implant. The rest of the knee is left intact. It is very unlike a total knee replacement surgery. In the former procedure, only the damaged portion of the knee joint cartilage is removed and in the latter, all of the cartilage, damaged or not is removed. The partial knee replacement surgery is a suitable treatment options for patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The Basic Procedure A typical surgery for partial replacement of the damaged knee joint lasts for about one and a half hour. An incision is made over the knee to get the damaged cartilage exposed. Then, the surgeon will cut flat the femur and the tibia, and clean their rough edges. The unicompartmental device is then cemented to the place. Suitability of Partial Knee Replacement Patients who are afflicted with severe knee arthritis that has defied the curing influence of conventional treatments are advised to undergo partial knee replacement. Prescription medications, physical therapy, weight loss and cortisone injections are some of the conservative treatments. Partial knee surgery is recommended for the patients having the knee joint with arthritis over a small area. Partial knee surgery fails to deliver results, if the impact of the arthritis spreads beyond the inner or outer region of the knee. It is suitable for the patients who are older than 55 in and whose knee ligaments are intact. It is risky for a physically week individual to undergo the surgery. And, carrying out the total knee replacement procedure may not be possible once the partial knee surgery has been performed. Recovery following Partial Knee Replacement Patients are usually required to stay in hospital for one night following the surgery. Putting weight on the operated knees is suggested to the patients. Soon after discharge from the hospital, they need to go for physical therapy and a rehabilitation program. The surgeons are expected to measure the rate of the recovery progress. The length of recovery period varies with the intensity of muscle strength of the patients. Benefits of Partial Knee Replacement Partial knee surgery has significant advantages over total knee replacement. In case of partial knee surgery, a smaller incision is made. Surgeons make an eight inch long incision on the knee front to perform full knee replacement surgery. With partial knee replacement, recovery time is shorter and faster. Bleeding is also less in partial knee replacement cases.
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