Partial Knee Replacement
Mr Kosuge’s Patient Information Booklet on Knee Osteoarthritis. Please click on image to access the leaflet.
Do I Need a Partial Knee Replacement?
Partial knee replacement is suitable for a selected group of patients in whom arthritis is confined to one compartment of the knee, with the remaining compartments and the cruciate ligaments intact. Suitable candidates typically have:
Osteoarthritis confined to one compartment of the knee, confirmed on weight-bearing X-rays
Intact anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments
A correctable deformity of the knee (where present)
Pain that is well-localised to the affected compartment
If arthritis is present in more than one compartment, or if the ligaments are damaged, a total knee replacement is likely to be a more appropriate option. Mr Kosuge will assess your suitability during your consultation and explain all options clearly.
What is Partial Knee Replacement Surgery?
A partial knee replacement — also known as a unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) — is a surgical procedure in which only the damaged compartment of the knee is removed and replaced with an artificial implant. In contrast to a total knee replacement, the healthy cartilage, bone, and ligaments in the unaffected parts of the knee are preserved. This results in a more natural-feeling knee and, for appropriately selected patients, a faster recovery.
Mr Dennis Kosuge is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon offering partial knee replacement surgery at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth (private) and The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow (NHS), serving patients from across West Essex and East Hertfordshire, including Bishop's Stortford, Epping, Hertford, and Chelmsford.
Mr Kosuge’s Patient Information Booklet on Partial Knee Replacement surgery. Please click on image to access the booklet.
Advantages over Total Knee Replacement
For appropriately selected patients, partial knee replacement offers several advantages compared with total knee replacement:
Preservation of the natural ligaments and bone, resulting in a more natural knee movement and feel
A smaller surgical incision and less disruption to the surrounding tissues
A shorter hospital stay — often one to two days
Faster rehabilitation and return to everyday activities
Lower risk of certain complications, including blood clots and stiffness
It is important to note that partial knee replacement is not suitable for all patients with knee osteoarthritis, and patient selection is critically important to achieving a good outcome. Mr Kosuge will be happy to discuss whether this procedure is right for you or not.
Recovery
Most patients are able to begin walking with physiotherapy support on the day of surgery. The procedure can often be done as a day-case with no overnight stay.. A return to light activities can usually be expected within four to six weeks, with full recovery taking approximately three months for most patients.
Mr Kosuge routinely monitors his patients' outcomes using validated patient-reported outcome measures. You can review a selection of his outcome data on this website.
Book a Consultation
If you are experiencing knee pain and would like to discuss whether a partial knee replacement may be appropriate for you, Mr Kosuge offers expert assessment at The Rivers Hospital, Sawbridgeworth and The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. Private consultations are available for self-pay and insured patients.
To book an appointment, please call 01279 602675 or use the online booking link below.
NHS referrals to The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow are also accepted via your GP.