Meniscus Preserving Partial Knee Replacement Surgeon
If you have arthritis in just one part of your knee, you may not need a total knee reconstruction or knee replacement. There is now an innovative procedure that replaces only part of the knee, while preserving the meniscus.
The OvertureTi implant is revolutionizing partial knee replacements. Uni-compartmental knee replacement surgeon, Riley Williams, MD helped develop the OvertureTi for patients who want to preserve their meniscus and avoid a total knee replacement in Manhattan, Brooklyn, New York City and the surrounding areas.
To see if you are a candidate for a meniscus preserving uni-compartmental knee replacement contact Dr. Williams’ team today!
Who is a candidate for meniscus preserving partial knee replacement?
Patients who suffer from early wear and tear arthritis (osteoarthritis) of the knee may be a candidate for meniscus preserving partial knee replacement. The knee joint has three compartments: the lateral (outer), the medial (inner), and the anterior (patellofemoral). Early arthritis is characterized by a loss of the articular cartilage at the ends of the thighbone (femur), lower leg (tibia) or kneecap (patella). The loss of articular cartilage results in pain and dysfunction in affected patients. Patients who have isolated arthritis in one of the three described compartments maybe a candidate for meniscus preserving partial knee replacement.
What are the symptoms of patient who are candidates for partial knee replacement?
Patients who are possibly eligible to undergo meniscus preserving partial knee replacement may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain isolated to the inner, outer, or anterior knee
- Knee locking or catching
- Knee swelling
- Giving way or knee collapse
- Decreased capacity for walking or exercise
- Pain with deep squatting
How will Dr. Williams determine if I am eligible for meniscus preserving partial knee replacement?
Dr. Williams will most likely be able to diagnose isolated knee arthritis with a history and physical examination. He will ask questions regarding your pain and when it began. He may gently pull and press on your knee or ask you to squat, jump or lunge to test your knee strength and pain level. He will also evaluate your knee stability and range of motion. He will obtain x-ray of the knee to check for joint space loss. An MRI is typically ordered to verify the isolated nature of the arthritic condition.
What is a meniscus preserving partial knee replacement?
Partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental arthroplasty or partial knee resurfacing, describes a surgical procedure wherein the arthritic surfaces of the knee joint are covered with a thin metal implant. Most partial knee replacement are performed for isolated medial or lateral knee arthritis. The meniscus preserving partial knee replacement procedure replaces the worn down cartilage surfaces of the femur and tibia with size matched metal covers; the patient’s own meniscus tissue is preserved and left in place. A minimum of bone is taken during this procedure. The new surfaces of the partial knee replacement are smooth, and restore frictionless joint motion. Unlike total knee replacement, the remaining structure of the knee are not impacted by the procedure. As a result, patient undergoing meniscus preserving partial knee replacement experience significant pain relief. Meniscus preserving partial knee replacement patients ultimately have natural feeling knees that perform well with normal and athletic type activities. Dr. Williams recommends the Overture Knee Resurfacing System for these types of procedures.
What is the OvertureTi Knee Resurfacing System?
The OvertureTi Knee Resurfacing System is composed of femoral and tibial implants that are intended to be used in the partial replacement of the articular surfaces of the knee. These implants are designed with sizing options that allow Dr. Williams to replace only the diseased or damaged region of the joint while preserving healthy surrounding cartilage and meniscus. We refer to this technique of replacing only the affected areas and preserving healthy tissue as Focalplasty™.
What can I expect following partial knee replacement surgery?
Partial knee replacement surgery is performed on an out-patient basis, meaning most patients are admitted for surgery and go home the same day. Regional and local anesthesia are the norm for this type of procedure. Assistive walking devices (crutches, cane) are used for 5-7 days, after which, patient may increase their weight bearing according to their tolerance. Physical therapy starts one week after surgery, and continues for approximately 2 months following surgery. Cryotherapy should be used for the first month following surgery on a daily basis. Most patients report a return to full activities of daily living by 6-8 week after surgery, and some sports by 12 weeks.
For more information on partial knee replacement, unicompartmental arthroplasty, and partial knee resurfacing, please contact the office of Riley Williams, MD, orthopedic knee specialist serving Manhattan, New York City and the surrounding New York boroughs.