Between 25-50 % of patients with knee arthritis, have disease only in the medial compartment of the knee, and may be suitable for partial knee replacement.
The Oxford unicondylar knee replacement is the most durable/successful partial knee in the world for this condition. With respect to the medial joint replacement, incisions are smaller; ligaments, muscles and tendons are preserved giving a much more “natural feeling” knee. Patients are nearly twice as likely to report that their knee feels normal with a unicondylar (partial) knee replacement, and 2.7 times more likely to be satisfied with activities of daily living, compared to a total knee replacement. The survival of the implant remains excellent with up to 94% still functioning at 15 years. The risks of almost all complications including infection, deep vein thrombosis, and general medical complications, are all halved compared to a total knee replacement. Not all patients are suitable for a partial knee replacement, and may require a total knee replacement. Factors including - a very stiff knee prior to surgery, severe malalignment, instability or an inflammatory type of arthritis may preclude someone having a partial knee replacement.
Mr Flynn performs a large number of partial knee replacements (50-60 a year) putting him in the top 10% in terms of volume, and is ideally placed to discuss the best options, and optimise outcomes. His revision rate in the National Joint Registry (ie the need for a reoperation after the first procedure) is 0.2 – i.e. one fifth that expected for this implant. (See Funnel plot graph)

The diagnosis of medial arthritis is made on a history of usually medial pain, and Xrays confirming loss of joint space. An MRI scan maybe required in some individuals to exclude other pathologies. A partial knee replacement usually requires all the ligaments in the knee to have remained intact, and any deformity in the knee to be correctable.

Once the decision is made to proceed with surgery, a pre-assessment appointment identifying any medical problems is held. Patients attend on the morning of surgery and usually remain in hospital for 2 nights.

Infection – is less than 1%. If an infection occurs after surgery, it will usually present around 7-11 days post-operatively with redness, heat and increasing pain with reduced ability to bend the knee.

Numbness – a small area of skin on the outside of the knee will be permanently numb from the skin incision dividing a small nerve supplying sensation.

Nerve or vessel injury – Injury to the larger nerves, vessels or ligaments is extremely rare

DVT / PE – blood clots in the legs or lungs can occur, but the risk is reduced, though not abolished, by using compression stockings, early mobilisation and oral medication for 10 days post-operatively

Stiffness and swelling – will occur after the operation. Patients are supplied with a compression device that can be filled with iced water to reduce swelling , and help improve stiffness

Progression of arthritis – because only one part of the knee is replaced, the remainder of the knee can develop arthritis

Loosening – any implant can loosen with time, and can become painful.

Persisting pain – some patients do not have complete resolution of their painful symptoms

Revision – a partial knee replacement can fail for some of the reasons above and may need converting to a Total Knee Replacement

Numbness. A small area of skin on the outside of the knee is often numb, due to division of one of the small cutaneous nerves crossing the incision. This is not a functional problem and reduces with time, but does not usually fully recover.

Unicondylar knee replacements usually provide excellent results, with abolition of pain, restoration of range of motion and a return to sporting aspirations.

Revision rates for the Oxford knee depend on a number of factors, the most important of which appears to be the experience of the surgeon and the number of cases they perform a year. National Joint Registry results show 12% of replacements may need revising at 10 years after implantation.

Length of operation. Surgery usually takes between 60 -75 minutes

Length of stay. 2 nights stay after the operation is often required. However, some patients can go home the next day if progress is acheived

What type of anaesthesia is used? The decision as to what type of anaesthetic is used lies with the anaesthetic after assessing a patient. General anaesthetics maybe used, or a spinal injection to numb sensation below the waist. This provides good pain control for some hours after the operation and is often combined with sedation through the procedure.

When can I drive a car? The decision to return to driving should be made by the patient after sitting in their stationary car and practising the leg movements required to drive, before attempting to drive normally. Driving is usually possible approx. 5 weeks after an operation but maybe 4 weeks depending on an individual.

What happens after the operation? After returning to the ward from the anaesthetic recovery area, the operated leg is placed on a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) machine to move the knee and aid motion. The cryocuff will be regularly refilled with ice and inflated to reduce swelling in the knee. A patient will be mobilised often on the day of surgery or the next day. Once walking with crutches is safely established, then stairclimbing will be practised with the physiotherapy team. Once safe to be discharged, patients can go home to continue physio exercises, and will re-attend outpatient physio every 7-14 days depending on progress

Clips are removed at 10 days post-operatively

Will I be followed up? Follow up appointments are normally at around 6 weeks, 6 months, and sometimes 12 months post-operatively.

1. Medial OA with ACL instability.
Performing a medial UKR requires an intact ACL for optimal results. In younger individuals trying to avoid a TKR, an ACL reconstruction and medial partial knee can be performed at the same time.

Combined ACL reconstruction and medial unicondylar replacement

2. Medial and patella arthritis
A ‘boutique’ knee replacement combining 2 partial knee replacements in the medial and patellofemoral parts of the knee can be performed together in younger patients trying to avoid TKR, and retain as much function as possible.

AP Xray of 2 partial joint replacements

Lateral Xray of combined implants