Partial Joint Replacements and Alternative Options at Alexian Orthopedics Institute
Our Tests, Treatments and Therapies
There are alternative procedures and treatments that might be right for you:
- Unicompartmental Knee Replacement, also known as Uni-Knee, is a minimally-invasive procedure to replace one of the knee's three parts to restore function. Because only part of the damaged knee is replaced, it is often called a partial knee replacement.
- Interpositional Knee Procedures insert an implant within the knee joint to stabilize the knee and replace some of the cartilage function lost to osteoarthritis.
Both procedures are designed to relieve pain due to damaged cartilage of the knee. The procedures are specifically designed to delay or possibly avoid the need for total knee replacement surgery.
- Hip resurfacing is a technique designed to reline rather than replace the worn hip joint. It is particular suited for young, active patients who wish to return to an active lifestyle following surgery and may delay a total hip replacement.
Non-surgical treatment options include:
- Viscos supplementation is an FDA approved treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee as well as certain types of sports injuries. This treatment allows the degenerated cartilage of the knee to be lubricated and regain its natural elasticity, as well as decreasing pain without the use of pain killing drugs. It involves injections into arthritic joints that improve the joint fluid and thereby reduce arthritic symptoms.
- Osteochondral grafting is where a plug of bone and healthy cartilage is harvested from one area and transplanted to the injury site.
