Partial Knee Replacement

Resurfacing the worn ends of the thigh and shin bones with metal and polyethylene components, planned and executed with Mako robotic-arm assistance.

Total Knee Replacement

Resurfacing only the worn compartment of the knee, usually the inner side, with Mako robotic assistance, preserving the ligaments and the healthy two-thirds of the joint.

Partial Knee Replacement

Replacement of the arthritic ball and socket of the hip, performed through the direct anterior approach between muscles, with robotic assistance where it helps.

Total Hip Replacement

Surgery to repair or replace a previous hip replacement that has loosened, worn, dislocated repeatedly or become infected.

Revision Hip Replacement

Surgery to replace a previous knee replacement that has loosened, worn, stiffened, become unstable or become infected.

Revision Knee Replacement

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

Partial Knee Replacement

The knee has three compartments.

When arthritis is confined to one, usually the inner side, only that compartment is resurfaced. Both cruciate ligaments and the healthy cartilage stay.The Mako platform is particularly suited to partial knees because component position and ligament balance must be precise, and the robotic boundary makes them repeatable.

At a glance

SettingSame day

AnesthesiaSpinal or general

Surgery timeAbout 1 hour

PlatformMako robotic-arm

Performed by

Jeffrey Wallentine, MD, Joint Replacement surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. WallentineJoint Replacement

Revision Knee Replacement

or call801-640-0000

Partial Knee Replacement

Who It Helps

Candidates have arthritis in one compartment with intact ligaments, good motion and correctable alignment, confirmed on X-rays and often MRI.Roughly one in four knee arthritis patients qualifies. Dr. Wallentine will tell you directly whether you are one of them.

Partial Knee Replacement

What to Expect

About an hour of surgery through a smaller incision than a total knee, under spinal or general anesthesia.Most patients go home the same day.The bone cuts are smaller and the soft tissue disruption less, which is where the faster recovery comes from.Partial knees here are usually same-day surgery; many patients walk the Provo River Trail within a few weeks. Dr. Wallentine operates at Utah Valley Hospital and Mountain View Hospital.

Partial Knee Replacement

Recovery Timeline

Many patients walk without aids within two weeks, drive within two to three weeks and resume most activity by six weeks.Full recovery is typically three to six months.Patients often describe the knee as feeling more natural than a total replacement because the ligaments are preserved.

Milestones

Week 2Walking without aids

Week 2 to 3Driving

Week 6Most activity

Month 3 to 6Full recovery

Partial Knee Replacement

Risks and Considerations

The main trade-off is that arthritis can progress in the remaining compartments, and some partial knees are later converted to a total knee. Component loosening and bearing wear are the other long-term risks.Infection, blood clots and stiffness are uncommon.

Partial Knee Replacement

Your Surgeons

Dr. Wallentine performs this procedure at Utah Valley Hospital, Mountain View Hospital, American Fork Hospital, Spanish Fork Hospital, Timpanogos Regional Hospital and Riverwoods Surgery Center.

Dr. Wallentine, MD

Thirty-four years in practice. Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement. Stanford sports medicine fellowship. BYU athletics team surgeon.

Partial Knee Replacement

Related Procedures and Conditions

Total Knee Replacement

Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee Pain in Older Adults

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330