Minimally Invasive (MIS) Total Knee Replacement &
CAS - Computer Assisted Surgical Techniques

Uni-compartmental Knee Implant Offers Help to Younger, Active Patients

Young, active patients suffering from knee pain now have a potential alternative to total knee replacement surgery. Dr. McAllister offers an alternative to some patients called a partial knee replacement. The device, called a uni-compartmental knee replacement, is used in conjunction with a minimally invasive surgical approach that typically reduces soft tissue trauma and may result in faster healing. The partial knee allows a surgeon to replace only the diseased or damaged areas of a knee rather than having to replace the entire joint.

The knee has three compartments or surfaces. The end of the thighbone or femur has two condyles or knobs and these come into contact with the lower leg bone or tibia and form two compartments. The third compartment is located where the underside of the kneecap contacts the femur. A partial knee replacement is often warranted when the cartilage between the condyles and the tibia has worn away resulting in a painful, debilitating condition known as osteoarthritis. In a partial knee replacement only the damaged surface of the knee joint is replaced, minimizing trauma to surrounding bone and ligaments and leaving the other compartments of the knee relatively untouched. The partial knee replacement is done through a 3 to 4 inch incision. The end of the femur and the top of the tibia, where the cartilage has worn away, are resurfaced to accept the femoral component (made of metal) and the tibial component (made of plastic).

A total knee, in contrast, replaces all three compartments of the knee joint with metal and plastic. Since the components are larger, the incision is usually longer and patients suffer some damage to their ligaments while also loosing two additional compartments of the knee. The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) which is normally retained in a surgery involving a Uni-Knee, is sacrificed in TKS surgery.

<< Back to Previous Page