Purpose:

• A partial knee replacement surgery is recommended in the following cases:
• Osteoarthritis: It is an age-related wear and tear of the knee joint due to cartilage (the cushion between the knee and bone joints) breakdown.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an autoimmune condition in which the immune or disease-fighting system of the body attacks the lining of the knee joint.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: An injury to the knee joint may need a partial knee replacement surgery.
• Moderate knee deformity

Symptoms: The following symptoms could mean that you may need a partial knee replacement surgery:

• Knee pain that prevents you from sleeping at night
• Knee pain that prevents you from performing your daily activities
• Knee stiffness
• Minor deformity in the knee joint
• Other treatment options have failed to treat your knee pain or stiffness
• Partial knee replacement surgery is preferred over total knee replacement surgery (all the compartments of the knee joint are replaced) in the following cases:
• Arthritis (inflammation of the knee joint causing severe pain and stiffness) on only one side of the knee
• Good range of motion of the knee joint
• Stable knee ligaments 

The following diagnostic tests may be performed before a partial knee replacement surgery:

• Physical examination: The doctor checks the patient physically. The mobility of the knee joint and the soft tissues around the knee joint are checked. The medical history and symptoms and symptoms of the patient are noted. 
• Blood tests: These tests help to diagnose the presence of any underlying medical conditions. 
• Urine tests: These tests help in checking for underlying urinary infections, diabetes, or other medical disorders that may be present.
• Chest x-ray: This test helps the doctor to evaluate the condition of the heart and lungs.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test is done to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans help in obtaining a clear image of the bone defect present in the knee region.

• The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, that is, the patient is put to sleep before the procedure.
• The doctor inspects the knee joint and makes an incision or cut in the front part of the knee joint.
• The surgeon can now access all the three knee joint compartments and approach the affected compartment of the damaged kidney.
• The damaged cartilage and bone are now removed from the respective knee joint compartment.
• The removed portion is now substituted using metal coverings to recreate the surface of the knee joint.
• The prosthetic implants are held to the bone using cement.
• A plastic insert is usually placed between the two metal components to create a smooth gliding surface and avoid friction, which is the normal cartilage function.
• The skin and the wound are closed using sutures or stitches.
• The procedure takes approximately one to two hours to complete.

Partial knee replacement surgery may have the following complications:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clot formation
• Allergic reaction to the anesthetic agent used 
• Buildup of fluid in the knee joint
• Nerve damage
• Blood vessel damage
• Failure of the implanted parts to attach to the knee joint
• Knee pain while kneeling 
• Loosening of the new knee joint
• Dislocation of the new knee joint 
• Wear and tear of the new knee joint
• Need for another surgery 

• The patient usually stays in the hospital for one or two days after the surgery.
• It is normal to have some pain and swelling after the surgery.
• The patient needs to undergo physiotherapy sessions for two to four weeks after discharge from the hospital to enable mobilization of the knee.
• The patient may need to use crutches or a walker for some time after the surgery.
• The patient can usually resume most of his/her daily activities approximately six to eight weeks after the surgery.
• The patient needs to have regular follow-up sessions with the doctor to check the results of the surgery and if there are any complications after the surgery.