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 knee osteoarthritis. You may be considered for partial knee replacement if your knee pain persists despite maintaining a healthy weight and intake of anti-inflammatory drugs. To qualify for this procedure, your ACL must be intact, as well as a sufficient range of motion and a relatively stable knee. Doctors like David Crawford will ask you to identify the pain point in your knee, then check your range of motion and stability. An X-ray will also determine if you are a candidate for the procedure.

Apart from the quicker recovery period, the main advantage of partial knee replacement surgery is that it performs better in preserving knee function and range of motion because it preserves healthy tissue and bone in the knee. Blood loss is also kept to a minimum during surgery, and knee motion recovers faster after surgery. These are the main reasons why there is a steady rise in the number of younger, more active patients opting for this opting for this procedure over total knee replacement surgery.