Partial Knee Resurfacing:
Is It Right For You?

When knee pain due to osteoarthritis becomes severe, patients are often told they need a "knee replacement." In many cases, patients assume this automatically refers to a **Total Knee Replacement (TKR)**. However, many people suffer from wear-and-tear that is confined to only a single area of the knee. For these patients, a **Minimally Invasive Partial Knee Resurfacing** (Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty) is a much better choice.

As an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Malad West, Kandivali, and Borivali, he strongly advocates for joint preservation whenever possible. Let's look at how partial knee resurfacing works and who makes a prime candidate for this high-flexion technique.

Anatomy of Knee Osteoarthritis

The human knee joint is divided into three main compartments:

• Medial Compartment: The inner side of the knee.
• Lateral Compartment: The outer side of the knee.
• Patellofemoral Compartment: The front of the knee, underneath the kneecap.

In many cases, cartilage damage begins specifically in the medial compartment, while the lateral and patellofemoral cartilage remains completely healthy and intact.

What is Partial Knee Resurfacing?

During a total knee replacement, the surgeon cuts away bone from all three compartments and replaces the entire joint surface.

In contrast, a partial knee resurfacing replaces only the single damaged compartment. The healthy bone, healthy cartilage in the remaining compartments, and all critical ligaments, most importantly your **Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)** and **Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)**, are preserved intact.

The Benefits of Preserving Your Native Tissue

1. A More Natural Feeling Knee

Because your native ACL and PCL are preserved, the knee retains its natural joint position sense (proprioception). Patients who undergo partial resurfacing frequently report that the knee "feels like their own native joint" during motion, walking, and stair-climbing, unlike the mechanical feeling sometimes reported after total replacements.

2. Minimally Invasive Incision & Rapid Flexion

The surgical incision is much smaller (typically 3 to 4 inches compared to 7 to 8 inches for TKR). There is minimal disturbance to the quadriceps muscle, resulting in a much faster return of active knee flexion (bending) post-operatively.

3. Reduced Risk & Blood Loss

The surgery is less traumatic to the surrounding tissues, meaning intraoperative blood loss is minimal, and the risk of infection or systemic complications is significantly reduced.

Who is a Candidate?

Not everyone is suitable for a partial knee resurfacing. Ideal candidates meet the following criteria:

• Osteoarthritis localized strictly to a single compartment.
• Stable ligaments (fully functional ACL and PCL).
• Good range of motion before the surgery.
• Minimal joint deformity (e.g., severe bowleggedness or knock-knees may rule out partial replacement).

Using digital X-rays and precise diagnostics at his hospitals in Namaha Healthcare (Kandivali West) and CritiCare Asia Hospital (Andheri West), he can map your joint wear using KNE3WIZ 3D planning and determine if a partial resurfacing is your optimal path forward. Call +91-9967811910 to book an assessment.