Partial knee replacement now possible in tricity

CHANDIGARH: Patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knees can now look forward to a state-of-the-art surgical cure offering painless and fast recovery, in the form of Unicondylar or partial knee replacement (UKR), which was recently conducted for the first time in the tricity at Fortis Hospital.
The man behind introducing procedure in the tricity, director and head, department of orthopaedics and joint replacement, Fortis Hospital Dr Harsimran Singh said, "This was for the first time that a partial knee replacement has been carried out, instead of the more common total knee replacement."
Two of the first three patients of UKR whom Dr Harsimran operated accompanied him at the media meet including 66 years old Kashmir Singh from Mohali and 72 years old Bihari Lal from Saharanpur.
Elaborating on the UKR procedure, Dr Harsimran said the timing of conducting UKR is the most important thing. "The joint to be operated should neither be too crooked nor bone quality too bad," he explained.
UKR usually involves minimal blood loss and is associated with a low rate of complications. The recovery is quicker, normal activity level is reached sooner and the patient is on painkillers for lesser time. After physical rehabilitation, patients can get back on their feet faster than they do in total knee replacement.
Highlights
Candidates for partial replacement
Advanced osteoarthritis
Knee severely affecting quality of life, activities of daily living
Arthritis limited to one compartment of knee
Pain in inner portion or outside portion of knee; not if pain is throughout the knee
Knee shouldn't be too stiff
Ligaments shouldn't be too worn or torn
Advantages
Less post-operative pain
Less swelling
Fewer days in the hospital
Easier rehabilitation