Unicondylar (Unicompartmental) Knee Replacement Surgery

Experienced New York knee arthroscopic surgeons you can count on

Partial knee replacement surgery (also known as unicompartmental or unicondylar knee replacement surgery) can be a complicated knee injury medical procedure. That’s why it’s critical that have an experienced doctor performing your surgical knee injury treatment. That’s why we want to meet with you at IMC Bone Doc right away. Best of all, you can often receive all your medical care at one, convenient location.

Our board-certified, New York knee replacement surgeons at Island Musculoskeletal Care have more than 100 years of combined medical experience. Our doctors have a well-earned reputation for being experienced and talented surgeons. Schedule an appointment today. Our doctors sometimes have same day appointments available on short notice.

We know how to properly diagnose knee injuries. We use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and the latest surgical techniques. This often includes taking an MRI image if your knee. That’s why we have an MRI machine in each one of our seven offices. We leave no stone unturned when diagnosing you.

What is unicondylar (unicompartmental) knee replacement surgery?

Unicondylar knee replacement surgery is a common type of minimally invasive surgery. In these procedures, the damaged part of the knee is replaced with an artificial implant. This type of surgery is a common alternative to total knee replacement surgery.

Unicondylar knee replacement surgery is commonly performed on patients who only have damage to one part of their knee. A person’s knee contains three, distinct compartments. They are:

• Lateral compartment (outside portion of the knee)
• Medial compartment (inside part of the knee)
• Patellofemoral compartment (part of the knee located in front between the thigh bone and kneecap)

Is unicondylar (unicompartmental) knee replacement surgery right for me?

Arthritis confined to only one part of the knee is a common reason why people choose to have unicompartmental knee replacement surgery. If you have knee pain and damage to your knee joint throughout your knee, total knee replacement surgery may be a better option.

You never know for sure until you have one of our experienced, New York knee surgeons examine you and diagnose exactly what’s wrong. Schedule an appointment with one of our physicians at one of our seven offices conveniently located in New York City and Long Island. Many of our doctors are available to examine you on short notice – sometimes the same day.

How is unicondylar knee replacement surgery performed?

This surgical procedure involves making a small incision on your knee to expose the knee joint. The surgeon then removes the damaged part of your knee and replaces that part of your knee with an artificial implant.

As part of the surgical procedure, the surgeon will also make sure your artificial knee implant is properly secured with bone cement to the thigh bone or femur. Once all the components are in place and your knee is properly reconstructed, the surgeon will then test to make sure that your knee has a full range of motion.

How long does it take to recover from unicondylar knee replacement surgery?

Recovery time can vary depending on the severity of the damage to your knee, your physical condition and other factors. Most likely, you will need to use a cane or a walker for one to two weeks after your surgical procedure.

You might also need physical therapy for several months after your surgical knee procedure. These exercises are intended to rebuild your muscle strength and improve or maintain your range of motion. Physical therapy for unicondylar knee replacement surgery often lasts four to six months.

We understand the importance of physical therapy when it comes to knee injuries. That’s why each one of our seven office locations has a licensed physical therapist and the equipment necessary to provide physical therapy at every office location.

In addition, our doctors have extensive experience when it comes to pain management before and after your surgical procedure. This may include prescribing pain medications or performing additional, minimally invasive procedures to relieve your pain, including injecting pain-relieving gels into the knee, which can delay the need for knee replacement surgery for several months.

Any side effects or risks due to unicondylar knee replacement surgery?

While success rate for unicondylar knee replacement surgery is high, there can be some risks or side effects associated with this surgical procedure. Complications and risks many include:

• Blood clots
• Infections
• Knee pain
• Ligament damage
• Nerve damage

What are the benefits of unicondylar knee replacement surgery?

There are many reasons why you may want to consider undergoing unicompartmental knee replacement surgery, versus undergoing a total knee replacement surgical operation. Reasons why often include:

• Shorter recovery time
• Improved range of motion
• Smaller scar on knee
• Less pain in general after operation

Trust our NYC knee surgeons to perform your knee operation. Contact us.

Learn more whether unicompartmental knee replacement surgery is right for you. Contact our surgical clinic and make an appointment with one of our physicians. We can examine you and diagnose exactly what’s wrong and what’s the best approach for your unique knee injury. Contact us online or call us. One of our experienced, New York unicompartmental knee replacement surgeons can help you.