Several resurfacing opitions exist for patients suffering from isolated loss of cartilage in the knee. The knee is comprised of three compartments: the medial (inside), the lateral (outside), and the patellofemoral (knee cap area).(picture with arrows) Osteoarthritis can afflict one, two, or all three of these compartments, making simple activities painful. It is estimated that over 65-70% of patients posses damage to only one or two major areas in the knee with preservation of normal cartilage in one or more compartments. In these instances, resurfacing only the damaged area while preserving the anterior cruciate and posterior cruciate ligaments makes sense.

Patients with partial knee replacements or resurfacings recover much faster than a full knee replacement. When able to compare the partial knee to a contralateral total knee replacement patients often state the partial knee feels better and more normal. The results can be dramatic.

Unicompartmental (Single) • Bicompartmental (Double) • Patellofemoral (Knee Cap)

Partial Single Compartmental Ligament

Unicompartmental Knee replacement focuses on resurfacing either the inside or outside portion of the knee. The knee cap cartilage, front of the knee, and unresufraced compartment are preserved along with the vital ligaments. When performed appropriately the results are equal to knee replacement and if failure does occur the results of the procedure to convert a partial to a total knee replacement can be as good as a first time knee replacement. In other words, in many cases you do not burn bridges with a partial knee replacement.

Partial Bi-Compartmental Ligament

Bicompartmental knee replacement/resurfacing is a surgery which resurfaces the inside portion of the knee, the under surface of the knee cap and the area in which the knee cap tracks. The bicompartmental pattern of arthritis is the most common pattern of arthritis. Traditionally, if two compartments had signs of osteoarthritis, the patient would undergo total knee replacement surgery. The Deuce or bicompartmental knee replacement is a revolutionary resurfacing procedure and gives surgeons the opportunity to treat patients who only have osteoarthritis in two of the three compartments of the knee with an implant other than a total knee replacement. The implant does not span the entire width of the knee. The normal areas of the knee and the stabilizing anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL) are preserved creating a more mechanically normal knee. This implant is often used in younger or active patients in an attempt to preserve an active lifestyle as the mechanics of this device more closely mimics the normal knee. The overall recovery of a bicompartmental knee is easier and faster and can result in a more mechanically normal and higher functioning knee.

Partial Patellofemoral (Knee Cap) Ligament

Patellafemoral Resurfacing is an excellent option for patients with isolated arthritis effecting the knee cap (patella). The undersurface of the knee cap and the area in which it tracks is resurfaced preserving the normal areas of the knee. Most of the articular cartilage and all of the knee ligaments are preserved leading to a more mechanically normal knee. This can be a good option in younger patients and patients who wish to remain active with arthritis effecting the knee cap (patellafemoral) compartment.