Robotic-Assisted Partial Knee Replacement: Know The Benefits And Everything About The Surgery

Knee replacement surgery has evolved significantly, and with advancements in robotic technology, partial knee replacements offer a more accurate, less invasive option for patients.

(By: Dr. Rakesh Rajput, HOD; Director - Orthopaedics, CK Birla Hospital, CMRI)

Over the years knee replacement surgery has become a common medical procedure for people with arthritis or suffer from severe knee pain. While the total knee replacement surgery is mostly common among people with late-stage knee arthritis, partial knee replacement surgery is a medical procedure opted by patients with arthritis in just a particular position of the knee. With fast-paced technological advancements in medical science, these days, partial or total knee replacement has become easier, precise and more convenient for both orthopaedic surgeons and the patients.

Understanding The Knee Joint Anatomy:

The femur, patella, and tibia are the three bones that the knee joint is consisted of. The top of the knee joint is made up of two femoral condyles, while the bottom is made up of the tibial plateau and the kneecap rests in front. The knee joint also comprises three compartments – the medial (inner) compartment, the lateral (outer) compartment, and the patellofemoral compartment, where the patella rests in front of the femur. While knee osteoarthritis can occur in any of these compartments, the medial compartment is more likely to be affected by arthritis, followed by the lateral compartment.

Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

While the total knee replacement surgery involves replacement of multiple compartments of the knee joint, the partial knee replacement is the surgical procedure in which only one compartment of the knee is replaced with implants. Partial knee replacement surgery is a usual method of treatment for people suffering from unicompartmental arthritis and having cartilage degeneration in only a particular section of the knee. In the process, surgeons remove and replace only the damaged cartilage and tissue in the affected area.
In partial knee replacement an implant or a prosthesis replaces only the damaged area of the knee, without affecting other compartments. As medical science evolves and with the induction of new cutting-edge technologies like robotics, partial knee replacement has become a viable choice for patients these days. However, the procedure is not suggestible for people with marked stiffness in the knee or with angular deformity. To undergo the surgery, patients need to have intact knee ligaments.

Recovery Time

After undergoing a partial knee replacement, patients can expect to go home on the same day of the surgery, unless there is a medical condition which need overnight observation.
Generally, patients can recover within three to six weeks and get back to their normal daily activities. Patients are also expected to stop taking prescribed pain killers within one to two weeks from the surgery. However, in some cases the surgery can lead to instability of the knee, loosening of the implant, infection, nerve injury and deep vein thrombosis.

Robotics Revolutionising Partial Knee Replacement

Unlike the total knee replacement surgery, the partial replacements can be very challenging if done manually, even by top orthopaedical surgical experts. In this aspect, robotic technology has been transformative. The robotics-assisted partial knee replacement surgery significantly revamps alignment, the precision of bone preparation and implant placement, thereby involving lesser technical variability and outliers. With robotics, surgeons can make more precise placement of implants, matching the patient’s anatomy, in a significantly lesser time. The robotics partial knee replacement surgery also offers enhanced lower limb alignment, improved component positioning, and precise ligament balance, thereby providing improved outcomes and lesser healthcare cost. In the robotic-assisted partial knee replacement surgery, the geometry of the knee stays intact and the ligaments that guide the knee naturally remain untouched, hence making partial replacements more normal than full replacement.

Benefits Of Robotic-assisted Partial Knee Replacement Surgery:

• Accuracy: Cutting-edge technology like robotics makes the partial knee replacement surgery more accurate by offering more precise planning, removal of tissue and the placement of implant.


• Joint alignment: The partial knee replacement surgery removal and replacement of only the damaged compartment of the knee and robotic technology ensures a more natural-feeling joint replacement.


• Smaller incisions: With robotics, the partial knee replacement surgery can be made more convenient for patients as it involves smaller incision.


• Minimising injuries to adjacent tissues: Robotics bringing more precision to the surgery ensures minimum damage adjacent healthy tissues.


• Reduced pain: Through the robotics-supported partial knee replacement, patients experience lesser pain and discomfort.


• Faster recovery: Unlike the traditional surgical process, the robotic-assisted partial knee replacement takes significantly shorter recovery time.

In A Nutshell:

Robotic-assisted partial knee surgery uses X-rays and CT scans to identify damaged areas and place implants more precisely. The process involves minimal invasion and only removes and replaces the damaged part of the knee, keeping the healthy bone and tissues safe. The technique significantly minimises scaring and blood loss, making it more convenient for patients.

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]