Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKR)

UKR is an advanced and time-tested treatment that can significantly improve quality of life so you can pursue activities and hobbies you loved to do.

Dr Sunil Reddy is an experienced knee arthroplasty surgeon and routinely offers Partial or Uni-compartmental Knee replacement to appropriate patients. He will discuss with you the nuances and rationale of this procedure specific to your knee and assist in decision making.

Risks include but are not limited to:

• Injury to blood vessels and nerves (rare complication).
• Infection (less than 1 in 100 surgeries on average).
• Blood clots in the leg veins or lungs (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism).
• Stiffness of the knee following surgery.
• Anaesthetic complications.

Although the artificial joint may well last a lifetime, it can also wear out or come loose or other compartments in the knee may become worn out , so a revision knee replacement surgery could be required.

The outcomes and survival of UKR are slightly inferior to TKR as per data from Joint Replacement Registries. The outcomes depend to a large extent on the indication, appropriate patient selection and a sound surgical technique.

Most patients go home within two to three days after UKR. Recovery and rehabilitation is quicker than with TKR.

Some patients need an overnight observation in HDU (high dependency unit) or ICU (intensive care unit).

Dr Reddy and the physiotherapist will see you on the same evening or next morning and get you up and about and doing exercises / walking as you can tolerate.

You can go home when you can walk around and feel confident and comfortable to take care of yourself at home, often with assistance from family or friends.

Pain relief during and after your surgery is a priority.

Our anaesthetists are experienced in multi-modality pain relief which includes nerve blocks, IV, oral analgesics, and LIA (local infiltrative analgesia).

Appropriate anaesthesia and IV tranexamic acid in the peri-operative period aid in minimising blood loss and ensure a very low blood transfusion requirement.

Identifying appropriate treatment of anaemia and iron deficiency prior to surgery is an important part of the preoperative evaluation of UKR. If your blood haemoglobin is low, Dr Reddy may advise a period of iron therapy before surgery to give you the best chance of an optimum recovery.

Dr Reddy’s Team will see you in the clinic between 12 to 16 days after surgery, unless you live in Country SA when appointment with your GP would be appropriate in this timeframe.

Sutures are absorbable so do not need removal. Please keep the wound clean and dry. The dressing is waterproof enabling you to take a shower.

Please do not remove the dressing before the clinic visit to minimise the risk of infection.

Please do not start antibiotic therapy for perceived wound problems without consulting Dr Reddy.

Call Dr Reddy’s rooms if you have any concerns with excessive pain, redness, or discharge from the wound site, or if you feel unwell.

The timelines mentioned are approximate and actual progression depends on individual recovery.

Patients can weight bear as tolerated from day one. Please use a walker or crutches until good pain control, quadriceps strength, and walking mechanics are achieved.

Avoid pillows under knees and focus on knee extension and quadriceps exercises from day one. Limb elevation with pillows under ankles / calves when lying is recommended.

Apply ice packs three to five times for 10 minutes each time for the first two weeks.

First two weeks

Quadriceps and gluteal sets, proprioception, and balance exercises (e.g. heel-to-toe walking).

• Static and Active Quadriceps exercises. Straight leg raises as able..
• Active and passive range of movement exercises.
• Gait training.
• Upper body conditioning.
• Please remember to apply ice packs five times daily for 10 minutes.
• Take pain medication as advised and follow the advice of your therapist.

Two to six weeks

• Continue with the home exercise program.
• Progress to walking outside.
• Progress with quadriceps, range of movement, and proprioception / balance exercises.
• Start core-strengthening exercises.
• Hydrotherapy / pool workouts once incisions have healed.
• Aerobic exercises after four weeks as tolerated (e.g. static exercise bike).

Six to 12 weeks

• Add lateral steps and step-ups.
• Single leg stance (eccentric exercises initially).
• Progress with all functional activities including household chores, gardening, and gentle sporting activities.
• Low impact activities only until three months.
• No twisting or pivoting until three months.
• Wean into a home / gym program.