X-ray showing partial knee replacement

When you and your physician have exhausted all non-surgical measures for treating your knee problems, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive partial knee replacement. Often called uni knee replacement, partial knee replacement is an option for patients with knee arthritis that is isolated to either the inside or outside compartment of the knee.

The purpose of partial knee replacement is to remove the damaged and worn compartment of the knee joint and replace it with smooth, artificial implants called prostheses, which will help you make your knee strong, stable and flexible again.

The implant

Some questions you are probably thinking about are: what kind of implant device you will be receiving, what is it made of, and why is your surgeon using a particular kind of device? If you haven’t discussed this with your surgeon, you should, because not all partial knee implant devices are made of the same material.

partial or uni knee implant

Due to significant advancements in technology, there is a new material for partial knee implant devices called OXINIUM* Oxidized Zirconium. Because of its hardness, smoothness and resistance to scratching, OXINIUM material may last longer and exhibits superior performance characteristics over the alternative material option, cobalt chrome. Ask your surgeon about an OXINIUM implant and if it is the right implant option for you.

The partial knee implant is comprised of a femoral (thighbone) component and a metal and plastic tibial (shinbone) component. The femoral component is fitted into the area of the thighbone at the knee joint where the loose bone and cartilage has been removed. The tibial component is then fitted in the shinbone at the knee joint where worn out bone and cartilage has also been removed.