Partial knee replacement is similar to total knee replacement in that it is a resurfacing procedure. However, partial knee replacement refers to resurfacing only one of the compartments of the knee. The inside, the outside, or the kneecap area can be treated independently of the others. This option is appropriate for patients who have pain and arthritis isolated to a single portion of the knee.
I have extensive training in partial knee replacement since residency and fellowship. I was fortunate to train with Dr. Richard Scott in Boston and Dr. Richard Berger in Chicago who have some the nation’s greatest expertise in partial knee replacement. I have subsequently published papers on the topic (see below), teach surgeons at courses how to perform the minimally invasive technique, and lecture as faculty at meetings on partial knee outcomes and advanced outpatient protocols.
Patients must be promptly identified with isolated or early arthritis to benefit most from the procedure. While total knee replacement is also a reliable option in these situations, partial knee replacement has the following potential benefits:
With enhanced pain management protocols, this procedure is routinely performed on an outpatient, home same day, basis for my patients. I created the outpatient program in Fremont in 2014, and lecture at our national hip and knee meetings on the advancement of outpatient surgery.
Studies have shown that partial knee replacement can be durable up to 15 years and beyond in the correctly chosen patient. In addition, if arthritis develops elsewhere in the knee, a partial knee replacement can be converted to a primary, or first-time, total knee replacement.
In 2016, I performed the most Zimmer Unicompartmental fixed bearing partial knee replacements in California, the thirteenth most in the United States. In addition, I performed the 5th most partial patellofemoral (kneecap) partial knee replacements in the United States.* I often serve as faculty to teach other surgeons how to perform partial knee replacement. I am the United States Lead Investigator of the new Persona Partial Knee System and participate in clinical research in partial knee replacement.
*based on industry database 2016
⇒ Read about patient's experiences after joint replacement at Sah Orthopaedic Associates in Testimonials, or see Patient's Stories after surgery to learn more. ⇐
Advancing the field with Technology in Orthopedics, I have thoroughly evaluated and subsequently chosen to work with some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in orthopedics.
Talk to Dr. Sah and his team to find out more, and to see if these technologies may benefit you.
Minimally Invasive Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
Same day partial kneecap replacement
Outpatient partial knee replacement surgery
Read a patient's experience with partial knee replacement in this article:
For more information, read this PDF below:
Partial Knee Publications
Riff AJ, Sah AP, Della Valle C. Outcomes and Complications of Unicondylar Arthroplasty. Clinics Sports Medicine, 2014;33(1):149-60.
Sah AP, Scott RD. Lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty via a medial approach- Surgical Technique. J Bone Joint Surg. 2008;90S:195-205.
Sah AP, Scott RD. Lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty via a medial approach- Study with an average 5-year follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg. 2007; 89:1948-54.
Sah AP, Springer BD, Scott RD. Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in Octogenarians- Survival Beyond the Patient. Clin Orthop Rel Res. 2006;451:107-12.
Springer BD, Scott RD, Sah AP, Carrington R. McKeever Hemiarthroplasty of the Knee in Patients Less Than Sixty Years- Old. J Bone Joint Surg. 2006;88:366-71.