David Crawford: Osteoarthritis and the benefits of partial knee replacement surgery
David Crawford, an orthopedic surgeon from Columbus, Ohio, specializes in partial knee replacement surgery. The procedure, an alternative to total knee replacement that is typically performed on patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, is ideal when the damage is confined only to a particular component of the knee. Hence, only the damaged part of the knee cartilage is replaced with a prosthesis. This procedure is preferred by most patients because the recovery period required is quicker and less painful. Osteoarthritis happens when the connective tissue within the joint, called articular cartilage, wears away. The cartilage prevents one bone from scraping against another and absorbs the shock in the joints during motion, allowing for smooth and stable movement within the joint. When this cartilage thins out or gets damaged, joints can get inflamed, resulting in pain and limited range of motion. Candidates for partial knee replacement include patients with medial or lateral k...