Partial Knee Replacement Recovery

These days most orthopedics see partial knee replacement surgery as a pretty good alternative, in certain cases of course, to completely replacing the knee. And for a few good reasons.

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

A partial knee replacement, or otherwise known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, is one of the popular ways of treating osteoarthritis of the knee joint. The way it works is, if the osteoarthritis is detected early enough, and is limited to only one part of the knee. Then surgery may be used to remove the cartilages in the damaged areas and replace them. This surgery is also known as minimally invasive partial knee replacement surgery, for the simple reason that only the damaged part is operated on and replaced.

There are several benefits of partial knee replacement surgery over total knee replacement surgery given that the recovery period is decidedly a lot less. There is very little loss of blood in this type of surgery as compared to the total knee surgery, and the incision made on the knee is relatively smaller as well.

On the other hand, people usually do not get arthritis diagnosed in an early enough stage and it is only when too much damage has taken place that arthritis is diagnosed. Partial knee replacement surgery ought not to be performed if the damage is too large and widespread.

Partial Knee Replacement Rehab

Partial knee surgery has been largely talked about because of its reasonably less recovery time, so let me spill the beans on it already. The period can be from 6 to 8 weeks. You will be limited to the use of crutches during the time, but you ought to be able to walk, without any support, within the 6 to 8 week of rehabilitation period.

Any knee surgery recovery can be pretty hard on the patient. A knee injury means that the person's mobility becomes restricted for the first couple of weeks. But the time taken to fully heal is a few weeks less. So, as long as you're not into hard-core sports, you will be able to perform your daily duties within the 8 week rehabilitation period.

The above specified period is, of course, subject to the condition that rehabilitation doesn't run into any problems. The first period of rehabilitation is generally one where the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is followed, where the knee is immobilized to speed up the healing process. The second period is of physiotherapy. At the end of a surgery, the whole procedure can really sap the energy from the muscles, and there is an immediate need to strengthen the muscles around the knee. Physiotherapy does just that and helps the knee get the strength to be able to carry you through the day.

Partial knee replacement has proven itself to be a pretty good option for people with knee problems and one which is performed with minimum fuss and is effective enough. Of course, if your orthopedic doesn't see it that way, it is better that you follow his opinion.