Partial knee replacement is a type of knee arthroplasty (joint replacement). Your surgeon will replace the compartments (sections) of your knee joint that are damaged with prosthetic pieces. Most people need around six weeks to recover after a partial knee replacement, but you’ll be able to start moving and walking with assistance right away.
A partial knee replacement is surgery to replace part of your knee joint. It’s a type of procedure called an arthroplasty (joint replacement).
A surgeon will remove damaged sections of your knee joint and replace them with an artificial joint (a prosthesis) made of metal and plastic.
There are three compartments in your knee joint:
Surgeons perform partial knee replacements on the medial and lateral compartments.
Arthritis is the most common condition that causes people to need partial knee replacement surgery. Most people who choose to have a partial knee replacement have osteoarthritis.
A healthcare provider might recommend a partial knee replacement if you have severe symptoms that don’t get better after trying nonsurgical treatments, including:
Knee replacements as a whole are one of the most common types of arthroplasties. Surgeons in the U.S. perform more than 850,000 knee replacements each year.
Total knee replacements are more common than partial knee replacements because most people with knee arthritis have it in all three knee compartments at once.
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Your healthcare provider and surgeon will tell you what you need to do to get ready for surgery. In general, you’ll need:
Tell your provider and surgeon about any medications and over-the-counter (OTC) or herbal supplements you take. You may have to stop taking some medications or supplements before your surgery.
Your surgeon will tell you when you should stop eating and drinking the day before your surgery. Most people need to avoid eating and drinking for 12 hours before their surgery.
The day of your surgery, you’ll receive anesthesia to numb your body and make sure you don’t feel any pain. An anesthesiologist will give you either general anesthesia to put you to sleep or regional anesthesia to numb you from the waist down.
During a partial knee replacement, your surgeon will:
Partial knee replacements usually take around an hour.
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After surgery, you’ll be moved to a recovery room. Your surgery team will keep an eye on you for a few hours to make sure you wake up from the anesthesia without complications. They’ll also monitor your vital signs and pain level.
Most people can go home the same day as a partial knee replacement. Your care team will let you know if you need to stay in the hospital overnight.
Partial knee replacement is a safe, effective way to relieve long-term symptoms like pain and stiffness. People who have partial knee replacements usually regain mobility and have an increased quality of life.
Partial knee replacements also usually have a much faster recovery time than total knee replacements.
Many people who have a partial knee replacement live with their prosthetic pieces for a long time (usually 10 years or longer).
Some people who have a partial knee replacement may need a total knee replacement in the future if arthritis starts affecting their other knee compartments.
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Some people who have partial knee replacement surgery still experience pain and other symptoms in their knees. Rare complications include:
Certain health conditions can make recovering from a partial knee replacement more difficult. Talk to your surgeon about your health history. Tell them if you have:
Your surgeon will tell you what you can expect after your surgery and how you can reduce your chances of experiencing complications.
It may take a few months to completely recover after a partial knee replacement. You should be able to resume most of your usual activities in around six weeks.
Your recovery time will depend on several factors, including your:
Your surgeon will give you a customized recovery plan, but in general, you should:
After surgery, you’ll feel pain, especially in the first few weeks of your recovery. You’ll feel pain from the surgery itself and as your body begins to heal.
Your surgeon will suggest a combination of prescription pain medication, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (if it’s safe for you to take them) and acetaminophen to relieve your pain. Your surgeon will tell you how much of each kind of medication you can take and when you can take it.
Talk to your surgeon if you feel like you’re experiencing too much pain or if you’re worried about any complications from taking pain medication.
How long you’ll need to miss work or school depends on how much stress your job or other activities put on your knee. Most people need to rest at home for a week or two after a partial knee replacement. Your surgeon will tell you when it’s safe to return to work or school.
You’ll be able to walk with a walker right after your surgery. But you’ll probably need help with some everyday activities at home, including:
Plan ahead to have a loved one help you after surgery. Your surgeon or healthcare provider can suggest resources if you need help while you’re recovering.
Your recovery will be easier and safer if you prepare your home ahead of time, including:
Call your surgeon or healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
A partial knee replacement is one type of knee replacement. The other type is a total knee replacement.
Total knee replacements are more common. Your surgeon will replace all three compartments with a prosthetic joint.
If you need a partial knee replacement, your surgeon will only replace the compartments that are damaged and leave other, healthy sections intact.
Partial knee replacements usually have a more natural feeling, are easier to recover from and put less stress on your body. That’s why most people who are eligible for partial knee replacements choose them rather than total knee replacements.
One type of knee replacement isn’t better than the other. It’s more about your unique needs, which parts of your knee joint are damaged and why your surgeon thinks one type is the best fit for you.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Living with knee pain and stiffness is annoying and frustrating. If you’ve had long-term symptoms in your knee that haven’t responded well to other treatments, a partial knee replacement can help you move more comfortably. Talk to your provider about which type of procedure is best for you, what you can expect and when you should consider surgery. They’ll help you get ready for your surgery and will make sure you recover as fast and safely as possible.
Last reviewed on 11/03/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy