Definition
Partial joint replacement is the use of an implant to replace an area of diseased or injured joint tissue. It may be done on the hip, shoulder, or knee joints.
Reasons for Procedure
Damaged joint tissue can cause pain and limit movement. Osteoarthritis is a common cause. It is the gradual wear and tear of joints over time. Less often, the damage is due to trauma.
This procedure is done to ease pain and improve function when other treatment methods have failed.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee |
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Possible Complications
Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:
- Excess bleeding
- Problems from anesthesia, such as wheezing or sore throat
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels
- Joint stiffness or instability
- Dislocation
Things that may raise the risk of problems are:
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
The surgical team may meet with you to talk about:
- Anesthesia options
- Any allergies you may have
- Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before surgery
- Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
- Arranging for a ride to and from surgery
- The need to switch to a full replacement if widespread damage is found during surgery
Anesthesia
The doctor may give:
- General anesthesia—you will be asleep
- Regional anesthesia —you will be numb from the belly down
Description of the Procedure
An incision will be made along the joint. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments will be moved aside. The joint will be moved to access damaged area. The entire joint will be examined. The partial replacement may not be done if damage is widespread.
Damaged cartilage will be removed from the area and smoothed down. Any excess build-up of bone will also be removed. A metal cap will be placed over the newly cleaned surface. It is often held in with cement. A metal cup or plastic surface may be placed on the opposite joint surface. A plastic disc may be placed between the two new surfaces to help it glide smoothly. The muscles and tendons will then be moved back into place. The incision will be closed. A bandage will be placed over the area.
How Long Will It Take?
1 to 3 hours
Will It Hurt?
Pain and swelling are common in the first few days. Medicine and home care can help.
Average Hospital Stay
Some people go home the same day. The usual length of stay is 1 to 4 days. If you have problems, you may need to stay longer.
Post-procedure Care
Right after the procedure, the staff will:
- Give you pain medicine or medicine to prevent blood clots
- Encourage you to walk using a walker
During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to lower your risk of infection, such as:
- Washing their hands
- Wearing gloves or masks
- Keeping your incisions covered
There are also steps you can take to lower your risk of infection, such as:
- Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and staff to do the same
- Reminding staff to wear gloves or masks
- Not letting others touch your incisions
It will take 6 weeks to fully heal. Physical activity will be limited during this time. You may need to ask for help with daily activities and delay your return to work.
Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:
- Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, excess bleeding, or discharge from the incision
- Pain that you cannot control with medicine
- Worsening joint stiffness, pain, or instability
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES
American College of Surgeons http://facs.org
Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Association of General Surgeons http://www.cags-accg.ca
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org
References
Osteoarthritis of the knee. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-knee. Accessed August 2, 2021.
Unicompartmental knee replacement. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/unicompartmental-knee-replacement. Accessed August 2, 2021.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
- Review Date: 07/2021
- Update Date: 08/02/2021