Partial Knee Replacements
This week, it’s a paper published in the January 2008 Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (???Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty,??? Todd Borus, M.D. and Thomas Thornhill, M.D.) that found partial knee replacement (also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty) is becoming a popular alternative to full knee replacement in patients with knee arthritis. Previously, a partial knee replacement was performed mainly on patients who were older and who lived a more sedentary lifestyle.
…Dr. Borus points out that even though more patients are being accepted for partial knee replacements, these procedures are not for everyone. “The criteria for partial knee replacements are still relatively strict. The arthritis has to be well confined to one part of the knee. Even though the techniques and implants are improving, not everyone is a candidate.”
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 70 million adults. The knee is one of the joints most commonly affected by arthritis.