Partial Knee Replacement Versus Full: What’s the Difference?

Suffering from chronic knee pain takes a major toll on your quality of life and range of motion. If you are like most arthritis and knee pain patients, common treatments like corticosteroid injections simply can’t bring you the relief you need. It might be time for a knee replacement. A knee replacement can be completed as a partial or total surgery. Which is best for your health and wellness?

Restoring Your Movement With Knee Replacement

Knee pain has many potential origins including acute injury, arthritis, overuse, and infection. While medications, physical therapy, and injections are frequently used as non-invasive ways to improve the condition of the knee, surgery is often the only long-term solution. This is especially true for people with arthritis who are suffering from a diminished quality of life due to confined range of motion and intense pain.

How Does Partial Knee Replacement Work?

In cases where only a confined region of the knee is injured, a partial knee replacement can successfully minimize the extent of the surgery while still replacing the damaged portion of the knee with plastic or metal parts. Since this operation only alters the injured portion of the knee, the recovery process is usually shorter and easier.

Makoplasty partial knee replacement surgery is an innovative procedure that utilizes robotic technology to replace the diseased part of the knee and preserve the healthy bone and ligaments surrounding it. This FDA-cleared treatment is ideal for patients who suffer from osteoarthritis damage in the inner knee, because it can be performed through an incision only ¼ of the size required for total knee replacement surgery. Makoplasty makes it possible to experience significant pain relief and return to an active lifestyle within just weeks of surgery!

Do You Need a Total Knee Replacement?

A partial knee replacement is a great option for some patients, but you may need a total knee replacement if two or three of your knee compartments are seriously damaged. A total knee replacement involves replacing all surfaces of the knee with metal or plastic devices. This is a serious surgery that requires about 8 weeks of recovery time before you can return to work and daily activities. If completed by a capable and experienced orthopedic surgeon, a total knee replacement has the ability to permanently alleviate chronic pain and restore function to the knee.

If you’re ready to live your life without the continual pain and suffering caused by your damaged knee, call Suncoast Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at (941) 485-1505 to schedule an appointment with an experienced orthopedic doctor. With locations across Sarasota County, Suncoast Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine can provide the care you need to heal and live a more fulfilling life.