PKR

The concept of 'compartments'

The knee is considered to have three articular 'compartments' or functional units.

Two are where the tibia makes contact with the rounded ends of the femur (tibio femoral compartments) and one where the patella makes contact with the concave groove of the femur (patellofemoral compartment).

A partial knee replacement may involve any one of these compartments.

Back to top

Does partial knee replacement allow quicker recovery?

Recovery is generally faster with PKR than with total knee replacement.

Patients may be able to walk unaided after 3-4 weeks, although physiotherapy may be continued for a few months.

• Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

  "...post-PKR, patients can achieve high-demand activities....28% can expect to achieve a high level of function"

  Citation: Al-Musawi H, Hassaballa M, Manara J, Davies H, Howells N, Clark D, Eldridge J, Robinson JR, Porteous A, Murray J. Does Partial Knee Replacement Allow Return to High-Demand Activities? Cureus. 2021 Oct 2;13(10):e18439. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18439. PMID: 34737907; PMCID: PMC8559668.

• Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

  "...Compared to [total knee replacement], [unicompartmental knee replacements] have a lower incidence of complications, morbidity, mortality, a faster recovery, better functional outcomes and is more cost-effective. However, the revision rate is higher."

  Citation: Campi S, Tibrewal S, Cuthbert R, Tibrewal SB. Unicompartmental knee replacement - Current perspectives. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2018 Jan-Mar;9(1):17-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2017.11.013. Epub 2017 Nov 28. PMID: 29628678; PMCID: PMC5884047.

Back to top

Forum discussions

• Partial knee replacement - ongoing pain at 30-60 degrees

  Patient not settling after unicondylar replacement.

Back to top