A recent workshop held at AIIMS stressed that total knee replacement may not be required in most cases

Why go in for total knee replacement when partial knee replacement can sufficeIJ” asks Prof (Dr) Rajesh Malhotra, Head of Department, Orthopaedics and a renowned joint replacement surgeon at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

Dr Malhotra was speaking at India’s first ever cadaveric workshop on Fast Track Unicondylar Knee Replacement Surgery using computer navigation, held at the AIIMS trauma centre.

According to Dr Malhotra: “The knee is made of three compartments — medial compartment, lateral compartment and patellofemoral compartment. The Unicondylar Knee Replacement procedure was developed to address osteoarthritis that is specific to medial or the inside compartment of the knee. This essentially means that it leaves the healthy compartments of the knee area preserved while only the unhealthy compartments of the knee are treated.

“Minimum bone resection in this procedure leads to less painful recovery and one is able to get back in motion faster. If you have osteoarthritis in only one compartment of your knee, it is advisable to consult your orthopaedic surgeon if this partial knee replacement is better for you rather than undergoing total knee replacement,” he says.

The univation X Unicondylar Knee System has an implant design that replicates the anatomy of your knee and thus retains the natural motion of the knee. It allows the surgeon to remove only the unhealthy area while leaving the healthy bone intact.

“The univation X Unicondylar Knee System has an advanced, patented multi-layer surface technology which reduces the release of metal ions found in metal based implants. This reduces the surface wear and tear of the implant and makes it last much longer. Moreover, the implant fixation is much secure. The implant design is such that it attaches itself to the bone very firmly, reducing the risk of loosening. The computer navigation helps in attaining precision and gap management, which are imperative for the success of knee replacement,” he adds.