Partial Knee Replacement

Partial knee replacement implant preserving natural knee structures for isolated arthritis.

When knee arthritis is limited to a single compartment, a partial knee replacement can relieve pain while preserving healthy bone, ligaments, and more natural knee motion.

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What Is a Partial Knee Replacement?

Medical illustration of a partial knee replacement implant used to restore joint function.

A partial knee replacement (unicompartmental knee arthroplasty) treats arthritis that affects only one part of the knee joint. Instead of replacing the entire knee, only the damaged compartment is resurfaced.

The knee has three compartments:

  • Medial (inside)

  • Lateral (outside)

  • Patellofemoral (behind the kneecap)

When arthritis is isolated to one of these areas, a partial knee replacement can relieve pain while preserving the remaining healthy cartilage, bone, and ligaments.

Because much of the natural knee is maintained, many patients report a knee that feels more natural compared with a total knee replacement.

Advantages of Partial Knee Replacement

Compared with total knee replacement, potential advantages include:

  • Smaller incision and less disruption of surrounding tissues

  • Faster recovery and earlier return to activity

  • More natural knee motion and kinematics

  • Preservation of important knee ligaments

  • Less blood loss and shorter surgery time

Many patients describe the knee as feeling more like their own knee because much of the joint remains intact.

Important Considerations

Partial knee replacement is not appropriate for everyone.

Because only part of the joint is replaced, arthritis that later develops in other parts of the knee may eventually require conversion to a total knee replacement.

Careful patient selection is essential.

While many partial knee replacements function well for many years, they generally do not last as long as total knee replacements.

X-ray of both knees showing joint space narrowing from osteoarthritis.

Who Is a Candidate for Partial Knee Replacement?

Patients may be candidates when arthritis is limited to a single compartment of the knee.

Typical criteria include:

  • Arthritis confined to one compartment of the knee

  • Intact knee ligaments, particularly the ACL

  • Normal knee alignment and stability

  • Failure of conservative treatments such as medications, injections, and therapy

  • Pain localized to one side of the knee

Patients with advanced arthritis affecting multiple compartments of the knee are usually better treated with total knee replacement.

Surgical Technique

Partial knee replacement can be performed using advanced imaging and robotic-assisted techniques that allow precise positioning of implants and preservation of healthy structures.

The procedure typically replaces only the worn surfaces of the affected compartment using metal and polyethylene components.

Preserving the remaining joint structures helps maintain more natural knee motion.

Robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery setup demonstrating precision alignment technology.

Recovery from partial knee replacement is often faster than recovery after total knee replacement.

Many patients:

  • Walk the same day as surgery

  • Return home the day of surgery

  • Resume many normal activities within several weeks

Physical therapy focuses on restoring motion, strength, and confidence in the knee.

Recovery After Partial Knee Replacement

Day of surgery

Walk with assistance

1–2 weeks

Increasing activity and knee motion

4–6 weeks

Most normal daily activities resume

3–6 months

Full recovery and strength

Surgical Team & Joint Replacement Center

Watauga Orthopaedics Center for Advanced Bone and Joint Surgery in Johnson City, TN, where outpatient hip and knee replacement procedures are performed.

Dedicated Joint Replacement Team

  • Board-certified orthopedic surgeon

  • Experienced operating room personnel

  • Anesthesia team experienced in regional and multimodal techniques

  • Coordinated perioperative nursing care

Outpatient Joint Replacement at an Accredited Center of Excellence

  • Watauga Orthopedics Center for Advanced Bone and Joint Surgery

  • AAAHC-accredited Center of Excellence for Joint Replacement

  • Structured same-day discharge protocols

Coordinated Recovery Pathway

  • Structured postoperative follow-up

  • Physical therapy coordination

  • Direct access for clinical concerns

  • Individualized recovery oversight

Considering Treatment for Knee Arthritis?

If knee pain from arthritis is limiting your daily activities, an evaluation can help determine whether partial knee replacement or another treatment option is appropriate.

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Common Questions about Partial Knee Replacement

  • A partial knee replacement treats arthritis limited to one part of the knee, while a total knee replacement resurfaces the entire joint.

  • Patients with arthritis affecting multiple compartments, significant deformity, or ligament instability are typically better treated with total knee replacement.

  • Because important ligaments and healthy cartilage are preserved, many patients report that a partial knee replacement feels more natural than a total knee replacement.

  • Longevity varies, but partial knee replacements generally have slightly lower long-term durability than total knee replacements. Most last around 10-15 years. Some patients may require conversion to a total knee in the future.

  • Yes. Recovery is often faster with less postoperative discomfort because less of the knee joint is replaced.

  • Yes. If arthritis develops in other parts of the knee, a partial knee can often be revised to a total knee replacement.