Knee Replacement Surgery at the North Wales Knee Clinic

Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement can be either a unicompartmental (half knee joint) or a total knee replacement. You will be able to discuss which option is best for you with Mr Smith in the clinic. Mr Smith performs over 250 total knee replacements per year and over 60 unicompartmental replacements, this makes him one of the highest volume knee joint replacement surgeons in the UK. It must be remembered that joint replacement surgery is a major operation and risks are associated with such procedures. Mr Smith will discuss this with you in detail if surgery is being considered.

Unicompartmental Knee Replacement

Uni compartmental (half) knee replacement

Patients who are suitable for the half knee replacement have to meet certain suitability criteria which can be discussed on an individual basis. The benefits of half knee replacement are more rapid recovery from surgery and a knee that feels more 'normal' than a total knee replacement. Usually patients are ready for home 24-36 hours after surgery as part of the Rapid Recovery programme.

The downside to having a unicompartmental replacement is a slightly higher rate of early loosening and need for revision surgery compared with total knee replacements. This may be a reflection of the fact that patients receiving unicompartmental knee replacements are often younger and more active.

Total Knee Replacement

About 75% of patients needing knee replacement surgery are most suitable for a standard total knee replacement. This operation and the joint replacements have been refined over the years and now offer very reproducible and satisfactory results in the majority of patients. Discharge home is usually possible around 72hrs after surgery for patients on the Rapid Recovery programme.

The technology of total knee replacements

is both advanced and proven. A large number of total knee replacements can be expected to deliver satisfactory function and last for 15 years or more. The total knee replacement used by Mr Smith is the Biomet Vanguard knee, which has been developed from the top performing total knee replacement in the Swedish arthroplasty register, the Biomet AGC. He has been involved in the design of this knee replacement over several years and acts as a reference surgeon in the UK, hosting visiting surgeons from around the world.

Photographs and Illustrations

	Second day after total knee replacement and ready for home
	Severe arthritis of both knees
	After replacement of both knees
	Total knee replacement
	Uni compartmental (half) knee replacement
	Arthritic knee