Partial Knee Replacement Specialist
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Mitchell R. Klement, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon located in Pewaukee, WI
Nearly 800,000 people in the United States undergo knee replacement surgery every year. If only part of your knee is damaged, you may only need a partial knee replacement. At Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, orthopaedic surgeon Mitchell Klement, MD, specializes in partial knee replacement procedures. To schedule a consultation to learn more about this less invasive form of surgery from a specialized hip and knee surgeon, call the office or book an appointment online today.
Partial Knee Replacement Q & A
Why should you consider partial knee replacement with Dr. Klement?
Dr. Klement has access to the latest robotic technology to ensure your surgery is done with precision and accuracy. Partial knee replacement allows a smaller incision, faster recovery, and a knee that feels “more normal” compared to a full knee replacement.
What is a partial knee replacement?
A partial knee replacement, also known as a unicompartmental knee replacement, is a joint replacement procedure that only replaces a portion of your knee.
Your knee has three compartments:
- Medial compartment — inside compartment
- Lateral compartment — outside compartment
- Patellofemoral compartments — front of the knee under the kneecap
During a total knee replacement, your surgeon replaces all of the compartments with prosthetic parts. With a partial knee replacement, Dr. Klement only replaces the damaged compartment.
After a partial knee replacement, you can expect less pain and swelling and a faster recovery than the traditional total knee replacement procedure.
Am I a candidate for a partial knee replacement?
When you visit Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin for a knee replacement consultation, Dr. Klement performs an in-depth evaluation to determine the best treatment for you.
You may be a candidate for a knee replacement if you have osteoarthritis of the knee that affects your quality of life and fails to respond to conservative medical treatments. He may recommend a partial knee replacement if your joint damage only affects one compartment.
What happens during partial knee replacement surgery?
Dr. Klement reviews the details of your partial knee replacement surgery at your consultation. He is an experienced orthopaedic surgeon and performs outpatient knee replacement surgeries whenever possible, which means you go home the same day.
Partial knee replacement surgery takes 1 to 2 hours. During the procedure, Dr. Klement makes an incision and examines each compartment of your knee to confirm partial knee damage.
In some cases, Dr. Klement performs a total knee replacement if he finds that you have damage to more than one compartment.
Dr. Klement may use the Stryker Mako or the Smith + Nephew Navio™ robotic partial knee replacement surgical system to perform your partial knee replacement procedure.
He removes the damaged cartilage during your partial knee replacement and replaces it with a metal covering he cements in place. Dr. Klement then inserts a spacer between the metal components to support ease of movement.
He sutures your incision and sends you to the recovery area for monitoring before discharging you home.
How long is recovery from a partial knee replacement?
Though recovery varies from person-to-person, most patients resume the bulk of their usual activities within six weeks of their partial knee replacement procedure.
Dr. Klement provides personalized guidelines to support your recovery efforts, which include pain medication and physical therapy.
To schedule your partial knee replacement consultation at Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin, call the office or book online today.