Benefits
The potential benefits of UKA include a smaller incision because the UKA implants are smaller than the total knee replacements, and the surgeon may make a smaller incision. This may lead to a smaller scar. Another potential benefit is less post-operative pain because less bone is removed. Also, a quicker operation and shorter recovery period may be a result of less bone being removed during the operation and the soft tissue may sustain less trauma. Also, the rehabilitation process may be more progressive. More specific benefits of UKA are it may improve range of motion, reduce blood loss during surgery, reduce the patient’s time spent in the hospital, and decrease costs.
Currently, two of the most significant benefits of UKA or partial knee replacements are: 1. Partial knee replacement patients report that their replaced knee feels more like their original non-replaced knee as compared to a total knee replacement 2, Partial knee replacements leave other options open to further advances. By not replacing the rest of the knee with metal and plastic, if other options exist in years to come for arthritis in these areas then a partial knee replacement does not burn that bridge.
Read more about this topic: Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
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