Partial knee replacement
| Normal anatomy |
Cartilage covers the end of bones in joints to provide shock absorption during movement.
|
| Indication |
Normal cartilage on the end of the femur is compared to worn, damaged femoral cartilage.
|
| Incision |
A small cut (incision), typically about three inches, is made over the area of the knee that is damaged.
|
| Procedure |
The damaged bone is removed and replaced with an implant (prosthetic) made of plastic and metal.
|
| Aftercare |
Most patients have a rapid recovery and have considerably less pain than they did before surgery and go home the day after surgery (unlike the 3 or 4 days required by a total knee replacement).
|

Review Date:
5/5/2008
Reviewed By:
Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.