UKA knee surgery, or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, is a type of knee replacement surgery that only replaces the damaged portion of the knee joint, unlike a total knee replacement (TKA) which replaces the entire joint. It's specifically designed for patients with osteoarthritis affecting only one compartment of the knee, most commonly the medial (inner) compartment.
Understanding UKA
- Minimally Invasive: UKA is often considered minimally invasive, leading to less blood loss, reduced post-operative pain, and shorter hospital stays (typically 3-4 days). [Samitivej Hospitals]
- Targeted Repair: This procedure resurfaces only the damaged part of the knee, preserving healthy bone and ligaments. [AAOS OrthoInfo]
- Osteoarthritis Treatment: UKA primarily treats the pain and limitations caused by osteoarthritis in a single knee compartment. [NCBI StatPearls, OSU Medicine Protocol]
- Alternative to Total Knee Replacement: It's a viable alternative to total knee replacement (TKA) for suitable candidates. [AAOS OrthoInfo, SpringerOpen Journal]
- Medial or Lateral Compartment: UKA can be performed on either the medial (inner) or lateral (outer) compartment of the knee, depending on the location of the damage. [PubMed]
Suitable Candidates
UKA is generally considered for patients with:
- Severe osteoarthritis (grade 3 or 4) confined to one compartment of the knee. [PMC]
- Good bone stock and ligament integrity in the unaffected compartments. [SpringerOpen Journal]
- Limited ligament laxity. [Orthobullets]
Procedure Overview
During the procedure, the damaged cartilage and bone are removed and replaced with artificial components (usually metal and plastic). The surgeon aims to restore the joint's proper mechanics and alleviate pain. The procedure can be performed using conventional or robotic techniques.
In Summary
UKA is a focused knee replacement surgery targeting osteoarthritis in a single knee compartment, offering a less invasive alternative to total knee replacement for carefully selected patients.
