Partial knee replacement

If you’ve caught the arthritic damage early, you may be eligible for a partial knee replacement. This is where the disease has not progressed to all 3 compartments of the knee, allowing the surgeon to replace fewer parts.


Image of Unicondylar knee replacement implant

In a unicondylar knee replacement, only one area (or compartment) of the joint is replaced.

Image of Patellofemoral knee replacement implant

A patellofemoral knee replacement replaces the kneecap (or patella) and the grove at the lower end of the thighbone (or femur).

Image of Bicompartmental knee replacement implant

A bicompartmental knee replacement affects two compartments of the knee – the inside (medial) and knee cap.


Important information

Partial Knee Replacement

Partial knee replacement is intended for use in individuals with joint disease resulting from degenerative and post-traumatic arthritis, and for moderate deformity of the knee.

Partial knee replacement surgery is not appropriate for patients with certain types of infections, any mental or neuromuscular disorder which would create an unacceptable risk of prosthesis instability, prosthesis fixation failure or complications in postoperative care, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, severe instability of the knee, or excessive body weight.

As with any surgery, knee replacement surgery has serious risks which include, but are not limited to, pain, infection, bone fracture, peripheral neuropathies (nerve damage), circulatory compromise (including deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)), genitourinary disorders (including kidney failure), gastrointestinal disorders (including paralytic ileus (loss of intestinal digestive movement)), vascular disorders (including thrombus (blood clots), blood loss, or changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm), bronchopulmonary disorders (including emboli, stroke or pneumonia), heart attack, and death.

Implant related risks which may lead to a revision of the implant include dislocation, loosening, fracture, nerve damage, wear of the implant, metal and/or foreign body sensitivity, osteolysis (localized progressive bone loss), and reaction to particle debris. Partial knee implants may not provide the same feel or performance characteristics experienced with a normal healthy joint.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is right for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same postoperative activity level. The lifetime of any joint replacement is limited and varies with each individual. Your doctor will counsel you about how to best maintain your activities in order to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device. Such strategies include not engaging in high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. It is important to closely follow your doctor’s instructions regarding post-surgery activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery is right for you.

Stryker Corporation or its other divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: AccuStop, Mako, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.


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