Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Definition
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is surgery to replace either the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) compartments of the knee.
Because only part of the damaged knee is replaced, it is often called a partial knee replacement.
See also: Total knee replacement
Alternative Names
Partial knee replacement; Knee replacement - partial; Unicondylar knee replacement; Arthroplasty - unicompartmental knee; UKA; Minimally invasive partial knee replacement
Description
You may receive general anesthesia before this surgery. This means you will be unconscious and unable to feel pain. Or you may receive spinal or epidural anesthesia. Medicine is put into your back to make you numb below your waist.
Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty uses smaller surgical cuts than those required for a total knee replacement. The surgeon will make a small cut about 3 inches long over the knee that is damaged.
Next, the surgeon examines the entire inner knee area to determine the amount of damage. If there is a lot of damage, you may need a total knee replacement. Most of the time, however, this is not necessary.
The damaged bone is removed and replaced with an implant (prosthetic) made of plastic and metal. The thigh and shin bone may be slightly shaped to fit the implant. Once the implant is in the proper place, it is secured with bone cement, and the wound is closed with stitches.
Risks
Risks for anesthesia include:
- Problems breathing
- Reactions to medications
Risks for any surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
Risks for UKA include:
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Fluid buildup in the knee joint
- Implant failure
- Nerve and blood vessel damage
- Pain with kneeling
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (rare)
Reviewed By: Dennis Ogiela, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
