Partial knee replacement
Partial knee replacement in Pune
Partial knee replacement replaces only the part of the knee damaged by arthritis, preserving the healthy parts of the joint. Whether it is right for you depends on where the arthritis is, how stable the ligaments are and how well the knee still moves.
Dr. Aniket Patil · Knee replacement surgeon · Kharadi, Pune
- 20+ years
- Clinical & surgical experience
- 3,000+
- Joint replacement surgeries
- Germany
- Joint replacement fellowship training
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aniket Patil, MS Orthopaedics
Overview
What is partial knee replacement?
Partial knee replacement, also called unicompartmental knee replacement, resurfaces one damaged compartment of the knee instead of replacing the whole joint.
The knee has three compartments: the inner side, the outer side and the area behind the kneecap. In a partial replacement, the worn surfaces in one compartment are replaced with metal components and a plastic bearing. Healthy bone, cartilage and ligaments in the rest of the knee are preserved.
If arthritis has spread across several compartments, total knee replacement is usually more appropriate.
Read about knee arthritisWho is suitable for partial knee replacement?
Partial replacement is considered when the symptoms, examination and X-rays all point to arthritis that is genuinely limited to one part of the knee.
The symptoms match the damaged compartment
Your symptoms and examination should be consistent with the compartment that shows advanced arthritis on X-rays.
Arthritis is confined to one compartment
Weight-bearing X-rays should show severe wear in one compartment while the remaining joint surfaces are preserved well enough to keep.
The ligaments are stable
Partial replacement relies on a stable knee. Significant ligament damage or instability can make total knee replacement more suitable.
The knee still moves well
Marked stiffness or severe deformity can make partial replacement less suitable.
Dr. Aniket Patil combines the symptoms, examination and X-rays to decide whether enough of the knee is healthy to preserve.
Partial or total knee replacement?
The choice depends mainly on how far the arthritis has spread and whether the rest of the knee is healthy and stable.
One compartment
Partial knee replacement
Treats arthritis confined to one compartment. It preserves the healthy compartments, more natural bone and the ligaments that are still working well.
Several compartments
Total knee replacement
Treats arthritis affecting several parts of the knee. It is also more suitable when there is significant deformity, stiffness or ligament instability.
Learn about total knee replacement
Dr. Aniket Patil reviews the X-rays together with knee movement, stability and the location of your symptoms before recommending one operation over the other.
What happens during partial knee replacement?
Partial knee replacement treats only the damaged compartment while leaving the healthy parts of the knee in place.
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Confirm the damaged compartment
Dr. Aniket Patil inspects the joint and confirms that the arthritis is limited enough for partial replacement. If the rest of the knee is more damaged than expected, the operation can be changed to a total replacement if this was discussed with you beforehand.
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Prepare the worn surfaces
He removes the damaged cartilage and a small amount of bone from the affected compartment.
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Position the implants
The metal components and plastic bearing are positioned while the healthy compartments are preserved.
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Check the knee
He checks alignment, movement and stability before closing the wound.
What are the benefits and trade-offs of partial knee replacement?
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More of the natural knee is preserved
Partial replacement removes less bone and keeps the healthy compartments and working ligaments.
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Early recovery is often quicker
Because less of the knee is operated on, many patients have a quicker early recovery than after total knee replacement.
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The rest of the knee can develop arthritis
Arthritis can progress in the compartments that were preserved. Some partial replacements later need conversion to a total knee replacement.
How do I prepare for partial knee replacement?
Before surgery, the team reviews your health, medicines and home setup so you can go into surgery safely and recover with the support you need.
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Medical assessment
You may need blood tests, an ECG or other tests depending on your health and anaesthesia plan. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure should be well controlled before surgery.
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Medicines
Give the team a complete list of prescription medicines, blood thinners, diabetes medicines and supplements. You will be told what to continue and what to stop before surgery.
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Home and support
Arrange transport home, help with daily tasks during the early recovery period and any walking aid or equipment recommended by the physiotherapy team.
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Admission
Follow the hospital’s fasting and admission instructions. Bring your medical reports, imaging, current medicine list and insurance documents if applicable.
What is recovery like after partial knee replacement?
Most patients stand and start walking soon after surgery with a walker or crutches. Recovery then progresses as pain and swelling settle and the knee regains strength.
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In hospital
You begin walking with support and start exercises to restore knee movement.
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The first few weeks
Walking distance increases, swelling gradually settles and daily exercises help restore bending and straightening.
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Returning to everyday activity
Stairs, driving and work return as strength and control improve. Your team will advise when each activity is safe for you.
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The following months
Strength and confidence continue to improve, even after normal day-to-day activity has resumed.
What are the risks of partial knee replacement?
Partial knee replacement is a major operation and carries the recognised risks of joint replacement.
Infection
Infection around the wound or implant can require further treatment or surgery.
Blood clots
A clot can form in the leg after surgery. Early walking and preventive treatment help reduce the risk.
Persistent pain or stiffness
Some patients continue to have pain or restricted movement after recovery.
Implant wear or loosening
The components can wear or loosen over time and may eventually need revision.
Dr. Aniket Patil discusses these risks in the context of your knee, health and planned operation before surgery.
How much does partial knee replacement cost in Pune?
The cost of partial knee replacement in Pune depends on the implant, hospital, room category and any additional medical care you need.
Once the knee has been examined and the operation confirmed, the clinic team can give you a more useful estimate.
Knee replacement surgery cost in PuneWill health insurance cover partial knee replacement?
Yes. Many health insurance policies cover medically necessary joint replacement surgery, subject to the terms of the policy.
Cashless treatment depends on the hospital network, insurer approval and pre-authorisation. Waiting periods, co-pay, room limits and implant limits can affect what is covered.
What affects your coverage
- Waiting period
- Hospital network
- Co-pay
- Room limits
- Implant limits
- Pre-authorisation
Common health insurance providers
- HDFC ERGO
- Niva Bupa
- Care Health Insurance
- Bajaj General Insurance
- Aditya Birla Health Insurance
- Tata AIG
- Digit
- Generali Central Insurance
- Cholamandalam MS
- ACKO
Insurance coverage and cashless eligibility depend on your policy, hospital network and insurer approval.
Not sure whether you need partial or total replacement?
If knee replacement has already been recommended, Dr. Aniket Patil can review whether the arthritis is limited enough for partial replacement or whether total replacement would treat the knee more reliably.
Which operation, why this operation and why now?
He reviews your symptoms, knee examination and X-rays, then explains which operation he would recommend and why.
Bring your X-rays, scans if available, reports and details of the treatment you have already tried.
Get a knee replacement second opinion
Your surgeon
Dr. Aniket Patil
Knee & hip replacement surgeon · Pune
Dr. Aniket Patil focuses on knee and hip replacement and has more than 20 years of clinical and surgical experience. He completed joint replacement fellowship training under Prof. Dr. Klaus-Peter Günther at Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital in Dresden, Germany.
For partial knee replacement, Dr. Aniket Patil pays particular attention to where the arthritis is located, whether the ligaments are stable and how well the knee still moves. Those findings determine whether preserving part of the natural knee is a good option.
Partial knee replacement FAQs
It is mainly used when advanced arthritis is confined to one compartment, the ligaments are stable and the knee still moves reasonably well.
No. Neither operation is better for everyone. Partial replacement preserves more of the natural knee when arthritis is limited to one compartment. Total replacement is more suitable when damage is widespread.
Yes. Arthritis can progress in the compartments that were not replaced, which is one reason some patients later need further surgery.
Yes. Conversion may be needed if arthritis progresses or the partial replacement develops another problem.
Most patients begin walking soon after surgery with a walking aid. Progress depends on pain, swelling, strength and general health.
Partial knee replacements can last many years. Longevity depends on factors such as implant fixation, activity, weight and whether arthritis develops elsewhere in the knee.
The cost depends on the implant, hospital, room category and medical needs.
Yes. Dr. Aniket Patil can review the X-rays and examination findings and explain whether partial or total knee replacement is more suitable.
Medical references
- 01American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons / OrthoInfo: Unicompartmental (Partial) Knee Replacement
- 02American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons / OrthoInfo: Knee Replacement Implants
- 03American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Surgical Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
- 04American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons / OrthoInfo: Total Knee Replacement
- 05NHS: Recovering from a knee replacement
- 06NHS: Complications of a knee replacement
Appointments
Find out whether partial knee replacement is right for your knee
Dr. Aniket Patil can review your X-rays, examine the knee and explain whether partial or total replacement is the better fit.
- Clinic
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Om Hip & Knee Specialty ClinicUnit No. 202, Second Floor, Velstand
Opposite Reliance Mart, Rakshak Nagar
Kharadi, Pune 411014 Get directions - Hours
- Monday to Saturday
5:00 PM to 10:00 PMBy appointment