How do I know if I am a good candidate for partial knee replacement?

A unicompartmental knee replacement is an excellent solution, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Studies show that only 5% of patients requiring joint replacement surgery are candidates for unicompartmental replacement surgery.

A thorough evaluation by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon is essential to determine if this procedure is the right choice for you.

Generally, ideal candidates for partial knee replacement have the following characteristics:

Localised osteoarthritis – The arthritis is confined to a single compartment of the knee.

Minimal deformity and bone loss.

Intact Ligaments – The ligaments in the knee, particularly the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), are stable and functional.

Good Range of Motion – The knee still has a reasonable degree of flexibility.

Not Severely Overweight – While not a strict requirement, maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce stress on the implant and the rest of the knee.

No Inflammatory Arthritis – Patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the entire joint, are typically not candidates.

Patients seeking knee surgery in Sydney have access to advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint the exact location and extent of their arthritis, helping to confirm their suitability for this less invasive knee joint replacement surgery.