Partial Knee Replacement

Swedish performs partial knee replacement in Seattle and Issaquah. We use MAKOplasty® Partial Knee Resurfacing or the Oxford® Partial Knee system, depending on the patient's individual needs. 

Partial knee replacement is considered minimally invasive knee surgery. For patients, this means that surgery is done through a much smaller incision and there is typically a faster recovery when compared to total knee replacement surgery. Partial knee replacement is indicated if the damage to the knee is fairly localized. Unfortunately, many patients turn to surgical solutions after enduring chronic pain and discomfort. In many instances, the damage to the knee by this time is widespread, eliminating the option for a partial knee replacement.

For patients who seek surgical solutions earlier, before the diseased surfaces of their knee are widespread, a partial knee replacement may be an ideal alternative. Swedish performs more than a thousand knee replacement procedures annually, with many of those being partial knee replacements. In addition to using the Oxford® Partial Knee system, the Swedish Orthopedic Institute is one of the first providers in the region to offer the MAKOplasty® Partial Knee Resurfacing treatment.

MAKO Partial Knee Resurfacing is an innovative robotic-assisted treatment option for adults living with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis that has not progressed to all three compartments of the knee.

During the procedure, the diseased portion of the knee is resurfaced, sparing the patient’s healthy bone and surrounding tissue. An implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again. MAKO Partial Knee Resurfacing can:

  • Facilitate ideal implant positioning to result in a more natural feeling knee following surgery
  • Result in a more rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay than traditional knee replacement surgery
  • Promote a rapid relief from pain and return to daily activities

Powered by the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System, the MAKOplasty Partial Knee Resurfacing procedure allows for consistently reproducible precision in performing partial knee resurfacing. During surgery, the RIO provides the surgeon with real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback to facilitate optimal joint resurfacing and implant positioning. This optimal placement can result in more natural knee motion following surgery.

As a knee arthroplasty procedure, MAKO is typically covered by most Medicare-approved and private health insurers.

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