Unicondylar / unicompartmental knee replacement

In a small percentage of the patients, the osteoarthritis is located in only one section of the knee (one compartment).

In these cases, we can perform a partial replacement of the joint.

The advantages of this method in comparison to a full replacement are:

Disadvantages

The surgery

The surgical incision for a partial replacement is shorter than for a full replacement, and is located along the knee, more in the direction of the inner section.

In the surgery, Dr. Bar Ziv will review the three compartments of the knee (inner, outer and patellofemoral), he will make sure that the disease is indeed limited to one compartment, and that there is no tear in the ligaments. In the event that the knee is not stable, Dr. Bar Ziv will decide, during the surgery, to carry out a complete replacement.

If the knee is suited to a partial replacement, the damaged surfaces of the cartilage, will be removed with the help of a special sw.

The surfaces of the cartilage will be replaced by metal plates, made of an alloy called cobalt – chromium. Between the plates, Dr. Bar Ziv will place hard, plastic (polyethylene) spacers, which will maintain smooth movement of the knee.

A sample of an implant for a partial knee replacement

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