Your partial vs. total knee replacement eligibility depends on factors like joint damage and overall health. Given your situation, your doctor can help determine which of the two procedures is better for you.
Are you struggling with knee pain that disrupts your life and limits your movements? Then you are probably considering a knee replacement. You go online to research and find out that there are types of knee replacement surgery. And now you are unsure which one you should get, while the pain in your knee is pinching at you for not making a decision. We understand your dilemma. So we put together a detailed guide to provide a clear, evidence-based overview of the knee replacement surgery, specifically the difference between partial and total knee replacement. Our goal is to help you understand your choices, the benefits and drawbacks of each approach, and which option may best align with your condition, goals, and lifestyle.
To begin with, let us understand what exactly a knee replacement surgery is. Also referred to as Knee arthroplasty, it is the process of surgically removing damaged parts from the knee joint and replacing them with prosthetics. These prosthetics are expertly made to mimic the movements of a natural human knee. A knee replacement surgery relieves pain caused by arthritis, injury, or other reasons.
A knee replacement surgery is only recommended when you have tried medications, injections, exercise and diet control, everything there is to try and stop the chronic pain in your knee, but nothing has worked. If the pain is mild, then a knee replacement is not recommended. However, when knee pain starts interrupting your daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, or sleeping, knee surgery is recommended to relieve discomfort. If the pain and swelling make it difficult for you to bend your knees, then surgery might be the best option.
Primarily, there are two types of knee replacement surgeries:
As the name suggests, a total knee replacement involves replacing the entire knee joint with an artificial knee. Damaged cartilage and bone are removed and replaced with metal and plastic components, restoring alignment and function across the entire joint. This is typically recommended when arthritis or joint damage is so widespread that a partial knee replacement won’t solve the issue.
While total knee replacement can be adequate, it’s not always the best fit. Discussing different types of knee surgery can help you explore what’s best for you.
Only the damaged part of the knee is replaced in a partial knee replacement. The healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments are not replaced. This option is most commonly used for patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis, though lateral and patellofemoral replacements are also possible.
When deciding between partial and total knee replacement, it's not just about which surgery sounds simpler. It all depends on your long-term objectives and particular knee condition. Only when minimal damage is present can a partial knee replacement provide a more natural feel and a faster recovery. When arthritis affects the entire joint, total knee replacement is the more complete solution, even though it is more invasive.
While total knee replacements typically last 20 years or more, partial replacements generally last 10 to 15 years. Complete replacements are frequently the best option for patients with extreme pain and instability, even though they may require a little more time for rehabilitation.
Whether you should get a total knee replacement or a partial knee replacement depends on several factors. To begin with, your surgeon will look for answers to the following questions:
Depending on the answers, they will determine which surgery you are eligible for.
A medical professional discusses bone structure to help the patient understand the differences between partial and total knee replacement.
It can be challenging to decide between partial and total knee replacement. However, it need not be. Both procedures successfully provide long-lasting relief and enable you to resume an active, pain-free lifestyle. We hope this guide helped you understand total and partial knee replacement surgery's differences, advantages, and disadvantages.