What determines whether you need a partial or total knee replacement?
Every knee replacement surgery is different and has its own set of needs.
Your knee is made of three parts – the inside, the outside, and underneath the knee cap. Each part can be replaced on its own, or they can all be replaced at the same time for a total knee replacement, according to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
(AAHKS).
In general, X-rays and your description of where you feel pain are both used to determine whether you will need a partial or total knee replacement, according to Premier Physician Network (PPN) physicians.
The decision of which one will work best for you also depends on what caused the knee issues to begin with, for example: Was it an injury or was it arthritis? You and your doctor also need to consider the differences in recovery time and how long each type of knee replacement parts will last. These factors can be different for different patients depending on your current health and health history.
Talk to your doctor for more information about what determines whether a partial or total knee replacement would be best for you.
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