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Unicompartmental Lateral Knee Replacement

David_P
0 Recommendations

I have a right knee that has deteriorated on the lateral side and it really slows me down. I have been waiting for several years now to have a partial knee replacement. There is a lot of case studies of partial medial knee replacements. Partials on the lateral side are just starting and I am looking for people who have had the surgery or are considering the surgery.

From which manufacturer did your surgeon acquire the unicompartmental knee?
How long was your recovery?
How long is it estimated the replacement will last?

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Surgery Pain

7 replies

kneesinarizona

I had a lateral knee replacement almost 5 mos ago. I have had nothing but trouble. I haven't slept a full night yet. I still can't sleep on my sides very long. My ROM is less (and more painful) than before the surgery. I didn't know prior to surgery that a lateral was a more complicated surgery and took longer to recover. I have done PT regularly as prescribed, but still I experience pain in the joint. I initially had a dull aching down my leg but was told it could be problems with the sciatic nerve/piriformas muscle. That has eased up some, but the joint pain has seemed to get worse. I'm very frustrated as to my progression. I see my surgeon again next week and hope he has some answers. I also have this "bulg" -- very hard at the bottom of the knee. Not sure what that is either. At this point I sure wish I had my old knee back. I think I should have waited until my condition got worse and maybe gotten a total. I understand the medial replacement is much easier to recover from.

Frustrated in AZ

David_P

THanks for the reply - i have several friends that have had the medial done and it is a breeze, I have a surgeon in Houston that has been doing laterals for 1 year, I am going to wait 1 more year until it becomes more established.

bumknee

Hi Arizona,
Sorry to hear your partial lateral knee replacement did not go as you hoped. Has it gotten better since your last post?
I am also a partial lateral knee person. I am in the process of looking for an OS in the Scottsdale area. do you know of any that can do this? I also understand that it is much more rare than a medial partial or a TKR.
What brand or prosthetic did your surgeon use?
Is it you right or left knee?
I hope you are making progress. This condition is so frustrating. Don't give up!!
Thaks for your input.
Bumknee

bumknee

Hi David P,
I am also in the same situation as you. I have a horrible lateral compartment and I have been told by 2 OS that I will need a lateral uni replacement. I am in the process of "interviewing" 3 OS.
My impression of this type of surgery is that they are not nearly as common as TKRs or medial unicompartment relacements therefore not that many of them are done.
Have you found a OS yet? If so, how many has he or she performed? How many is considered high skill?
Are you able to do any excercise with your bad knee now?
I know this is such a frustrating condition. Keep up your good spirits

David_P

I have found an OS in Houston - will see him on Nov 13th to ask questions such as # of lateral surgeries, manufacturer of implant, recovery time, PT, etc....

I have worn a brace for 5 years so I could exercise, but about 2 weeks ago I had a turn for the worse. I started having buckling in the knee, where I am walikning and the knee slips and gives way. horrible pain, frightening to me and people that are around me and see it happen.

I have no choice but to get it tfixed and hope for the best. The OS is on staff at Baylor and is in the practice that manages our professional basketball team - Houston Rockets.

He came to me from the OS that had removed my cartlidge, saying he is the best in Houston for Lateral partials.

I will let you know how the diagnosis goes and the surgery also.

THe brace I have used for exercise is called an unloader brace, has been very effective to date. If oyu are looking for a way to get by, this has worked well for me for 5 years.

Cheers,

David

bumknee

David,

Thanks for your reply. I am so very sorry about what happened 2 weeks ago. It sounds terrible AND painful. I hope the OS do something for you soon.

I think it's a good sign that this OS says he's well versed in lateral unis. I was given the statistic of 1 lateral uni to every 6 medial uni. Then to make our proceedure less common, it's 1 partial uni to every 20 TKR.

I am familiar with the unloader brace. I have a Breg custom brace, X2K made for women. I have had it for a little over 1 year. It helps but slides a lot when I play tennis.

Good luck with your appointment. Keep me posted. Coincidentally, I have an appointment with the OS for the Phoenix Suns.

bumknee

Hi David,

Thinking about your appointment tomorrow. I hope you get the answeres you're looking for.
Good luck and keep me posted.

Take care,
Judy
bumknee

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