Partial Knee Replacement Surgery in Missoula

If you have arthritis only in one compartment of the knee and the pain is stopping you from doing the activities you enjoy, a partial knee replacement may be an option for you. The partial knee surgery replaces one side of the knee joint and leaves the surrounding ligaments, including the ACL, in tact. Your knee feels more like a natural knee. The implant is custom fit to the patient with sizing and angles, so it fits like a glove, and allows for normal flexion and extension.

This x-ray of the knee shows degeneration in one compartment while the other compartment is normal. Partial knee replacement may be a good option for this patient. Traditionally, when patients develop arthritis of the knee that does not respond to conservative treatment, a total knee replacement was offered as the definitive treatment of choice. However, in nearly half of patients who come to an orthopedic clinic with knee pain, the arthritis is only located in a single part (compartment) of the knee. Depending on the patient lifestyle goals this patient could be an excellent candidate for a partial knee replacement.

This procedure is performed through a minimally invasive muscle‐sparing approach that preserves all muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This way only the parts of the knee that are damaged are replaced and the other compartments of the knee that have not developed arthritis are preserved. The result is that patients have a joint replacement that feels more like the native knee. Patients with partial knee replacements are able to quickly resume activities such as hiking, golf, tennis, cycling, and even skiing. Ninety percent of partial knee replacements have been shown to last 20 years. If at any point a patient develops arthritis in the remainder of the knee after partial knee replacement, this can be easily converted to a minimally invasive total knee replacement.

Dr. Cameron Barton specializes in knee and hip joint replacement, treatment and evaluation, including partial knee replacement surgery. The best way to find out if you are a candidate for a partial knee replacement is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Barton for a comprehensive knee evaluation – call our clinic at (406)721-4436

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