Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKR)
With increasing trend towards joint replacements, patients are opting for knee replacements at a younger age. With only a portion of knee affected due to arthritis, it doesn’t justify replacing the whole knee. Therefore Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (Partial Knee Replacement) is a very good option here. In this operation, we preserve all the knee joint ligaments and so it’s a more natural feel to the knee. Only half of the diseased knee is replaced with metal leaving your healthy knee behind.
Who are the ideal candidates for UKR?
Patients at any age can have UKR but best for young patients with-
- Only one out of the three compartment of knee affected with arthritis causing pain
- Less deformity
- No inflammatory (Rheumatoid) arthritis
- No prior ligament injury
What are the advantages of UKR?
- Smaller incision and surgery time
- Quicker recovery
- More kinematic and natural feel to the knee
- Easier revision if needed in future
- Less pain and less bleeding
What are the complications of UKR?
UKR complications are similar to those of Knee Replacement which include
- Stiffness
- Infection
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Wear and loosening over time
- Residual pain
- Advancement of arthritis in the residual compartments needing revision
My Experience with UKR:
I have been trained in Oxford, UK, specifically for the Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Replacement. This type of UKR has the best results compared with its competitors. Also in Dublin I got vast experience in Uncemented UKR (still unavailable in India) under Prof J O’Byrne.
Personally I would recommend this treatment modality for patients with medial compartment arthritis, as it is a slightly less invasive procedure with very good outcomes.
