Knee Replacement Surgery

Partial Knee Replacement

With partial knee replacement - also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty - surgeons replace part of the knee joint, preserving healthy bones and ligaments in other areas of the knee. The procedure is less invasive than total knee replacement, using smaller incisions and resulting in a shorter recovery. It is recommended for patients whose arthritis is confined to a specific area of the joint.

As a university hospital, The UVM Medical Center's team of orthopedic surgeons offers the most advanced therapies for partial knee replacement.

Restoring Natural Knee Motion

We offer a technique known as unicompartmental knee resurfacing, using a technologically advanced implant designed to restore natural knee motion. The implant recreates the internal shapes and forces within your knee, allowing it to move and feel like a normal knee.

Preserving Bone and Ligaments

The UVM Medical Center also offers bicompartmental partial knee resurfacing. This involves replacing two of the knee's three main components. It is designed for patients whose arthritis is limited to those two components. This method preserves the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL), as well as a good deal of healthy bone in the knee.

Total Knee Replacement

If non-surgical methods and other types of surgery are not successful, your doctor may recommend total knee replacement. Total knee replacement surgery involves removing diseased bone and tissue and implanting a complete, artificial knee joint.

Demand for Knee Replacement Growing

As the Baby Boomer generation navigates middle age, more and more people are opting for total knee replacement. Hundreds of thousands of knee replacements are performed each year in the United States.

Experienced Providers

At the UVM Medical Center, patients have the confidence of working with highly trained and experienced providers. In addition, improvements in surgical techniques and technology have increased the procedure's effectiveness.

Excellent Results

Results of total knee replacement nationwide have been shown to be generally excellent. Patients experience significant pain relief and improved physical functioning. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, most artificial knee joints have a 90 percent success rate 10 years after surgery.

Extending the Knee's Lifespan

Selected implants contain low-friction materials designed to extend the lifespan of the implant.

New Knee Implant Now Available for Knee Replacement Surgery

The UVM Medical Center orthopedic surgeons are the only providers in Vermont offering Smith & Nephew's LEGION Cruciate Retaining Knee implant with VERILAST Knee Technology.

Computer-Assisted Knee Replacement Surgery

One of the latest developments in joint surgery is computer-assisted navigation.

Tools to Improve Positioning

With this method, we can see an interactive display of the lines, angles and measurements needed to position the knee implant. The computer tracks the precise position of your knee joint and the surgical instruments at all times.

As a result, the UVM Medical Center surgeons can align and orient your knee implant with the greatest possible precision. This access to real-time, computer-guided accuracy is a significant breakthrough in joint replacement surgery.

Achieving Better Outcomes

With these tools, we have the potential to achieve better outcomes such as:

• Lower risk of post-operative dislocation
• Improved joint stability
• Best possible range of motion
• Precise alignment and placement of the implant may also lead to extended lifespan for your implant and prevention of future corrective surgeries

Minimally Invasive Techniques for Total Knee Replacement.

These techniques can make a big difference in your life and offer many benefits for those who qualify.

Less Discomfort

Patients often have less discomfort during this type of surgery.

Other benefits include:

• less blood loss
• shorter hospitalization and rehabilitation
• earlier return to work
• Improved cosmetics

At the UVM Medical Center, we offer both minimally invasive and small incision knee replacement surgery. With small incision surgery, surgeons use a smaller incision than with traditional surgery. You will see a smaller scar and improved cosmetic appearance as a result.

Less Underlying Tissue Damage

With minimally invasive surgery, surgeons dissect and remove less of the underlying tissue. There is less injury and damage to muscles, tendons and the supporting structures of the joint.

Recommended for Younger, Healthy Patients

This type of surgery is most often recommended for patients who are young, healthy and motivated to have a quick recovery.