Mobile Bearing Unicondylar Knee Replacement (UKR):
When only a single compartment of the knee joint is arthritic, it may not be necessary to have a complete total joint replacement. UKR can provide durable pain relief, can be performed in a MINIMALLY INVASIVE fashion, and allows the patient to go home from the surgery center or hospital the day after surgery. Mobile bearing UKR has an excellent long term track record, equivalent to total knee replacement in several studies. UKR involves replacing only the one compartment affected by arthritis, while leaving the remaining healthy areas of the knee alone. We have placed a depiction of this device below this paragraph to help demonstrate the difference between a partial knee replacement and the total knee replacement depicted on the right side of this page. The meniscal bearing is mobile, allowing for a more natural motion in the replaced knee. One of the more common indications for UKR is in the younger patient who has developed arthritis after having the meniscus surgically removed many years ago. The mobile bearing partial replacement can allow for rapid recovery and quick return to activity in the appropriate patient. For more information on this procedure, you can link to www.oxfordknee.net or www.biomet.com.
Patellofemoral Replacement (PFR):
Similar to UKR, PFR may be possible when arthritis is limited to the patella(kneecap). Isolated patello-femoral arthritis is not common, and is found mostly in females. For these individuals, patellofemoral replacement may have the same benefits as UKR regarding shorter recovery time and faster return to function.
Ask your doctor if one of these procedures might be an option for you should you need knee replacement surgery.
