Knee

WHAT YOU KNEE-D TO KNOW ABOUT PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS VERSUS TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENTS

First, understand the knee consists of three compartments: the medial, the lateral and the patellofermoral.

“If only one compartment of the knee is diseased, then a partial knee replacement can be performed,” says Dr. Mario John, an orthopedic surgeon at Florida Musculoskeletal Institute in Leesburg. “This procedure involves replacing only the affected compartment of the knee. However, if two or more of the compartments are diseased, then a total knee replacement is performed and all three compartments are replaced.”

Dr. John says there are several benefits to having a partial knee replacement.

“There is less bone dissection, less blood loss and fewer complications. Also, patients typically recover faster and have a better range of overall motion.”