Knee and hip replacement surgery techniques have become less invasive. One example is a new technique called unicompartmental knee surgery, an alternative to total knee replacement surgery performed by doctors at the Rothman Institute.

Unicompartmental knee replacement surgery – also known as partial knee replacement –entails replacing only the arthritic part of the knee, while preserving the healthy part. Because it is less invasive and involves less tissue trauma, patients can recover faster and experience less pain. As a result, patients can resume an active lifestyle more quickly.

Partial knee replacement surgery is often used to treat osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis damages cartilage that covers the bones that form the knee joints, eventually causing the bones to rub together and wear away. This results in pain, stiffness and a loss in range of motion. If the osteoarthritis is diagnosed in its early stages, partial knee replacement surgery can be a viable option that will help stave off a total knee replacement.

Partial knee replacement surgery is performed using a mini-incision. A mini-incision technique is less invasive to patients, resulting in less tissue damage, less pain, and quicker recovery times.

For more information on the procedure or to make an appointment with physicians at the Rothman Institute, call 800.321.9999.