Pain After Partial Knee Replacement
What Is a Partial Knee Replacement?
A partial knee replacement involves replacing only one compartment of the knee joint, rather than the entire surface.
This is usually done when:
Only the medial (inside) compartment has significant arthritis, or
Only the lateral (outside) compartment is affected
In some cases, the remaining compartment has mild arthritis that does not require surgical replacement.
Why Pain Can Occur After a Partial Knee Replacement
There has been limited research specifically examining persistent pain after partial knee replacement.
However, based on clinical experience:
Pain after a partial knee replacement can be similar in severity and nature to pain experienced after a total knee replacement.
The reasons for persistent pain can overlap with those seen in total knee replacement recovery, including inflammation, sensitisation, and personal factors
- The unoperated compartment can contribute to pain
Because the patterns are similar, rehabilitation principles used for total knee replacement often apply equally well here.
How the Unoperated Compartment Can Contribute to Pain
One key difference is that the unoperated knee compartment may still have:
Mild osteoarthritis
Low-grade inflammation
- Sensitisation
These can contribute to discomfort or changes in how the knee feels during activity.
The good news is that management of osteoarthritis is very similar to the strategies used in structured rehabilitation for knee replacement pain in Kneed, including understanding pain, paced exercise, movement retraining, and addressing sensitisation.
Partial Knee Replacement FAQ
Is pain normal after a partial knee replacement?
Yes. An increase in pain is normal in the first few weeks after major orthopaedic surgery and it can be as severe as that experienced by people having a total knee replacement.
Could the unoperated part of my knee be causing pain?
Yes. If mild osteoarthritis is present in the remaining compartment, it can contribute to pain or stiffness.
Management strategies are similar to the approaches used for total knee replacement rehabilitation.
Is pain rehabilitation different after a partial knee replacement?
There have been no trials to treat persistent pain after a partial knee replacement. Dr Johns recommends using the same principles used in Kneed for persistent pain after a full knee replacement.
