Partial Knee Replacement

• At 15 years following surgery, 95% of implants are still functioning well.
• More normal motion of the human knee
• Only a portion of the knee is replaced, making this procedure available to a younger population
• Minimally invasive - a small incision is utilized
• Less pain due to a smaller operation
• Outpatient, or one or two nights in hospital
• Quicker recovery - discontinue crutches as fast as one desires
• Covered by Insurance and Medicare

The x-ray in the middle photograph represents bone on bone osteoarthritis. This occurs due to degeneration or "wear and tear" of the articular cartilage, and degeneration or surgical removal of the meniscus. One this situation develops, the individual usually has severe pain. An Oxford is perfect for this situation. The x-ray photograph on the right demonstrates the appearance after an Oxford has been placed. One can see that the bone on bone rubbing condition has replaced by the Oxford with it's meniscus replacement bearing (the white horizontal line between the metal). The model in the left photograph portrays how the implant actually sits between the bones and cruciate ligaments (white ropes in the middle of the knee) and the medial collateral ligament (white rope one the right side of the knee). A total knee replacement is not necessary for this situation.



No other partial knee replacement has the proven success rate and longevity of Oxford. Until Oxford came along most orthopedists in the United States did not do partial knee replacement because of the high failure rate of these earlier implants. Many orthopedists today still do not recommend partial knee replacement for their patients because they are not familiar with Oxford or qualified to do it. If your orthopedist tells you "partial knee replacement does not work", you need to get another opinion. If your orthopedist tells you a different brand of partial knee replacement has the same success rate of Oxford, ask him to show you the scientific paper or data supporting his opinion.

The Oxford® Partial Knee Replacement prosthesis allows for better range of motion of the knee by virtue of replication of the function of the menisci and allows for more normal motion of the human knee. With the Oxford partial knee replacement, only a portion of the knee is replaced. In performing an Oxford, the anterior cruciate and posterior cruciate ligaments are always preserved. In performing a total knee replacement, the anterior cruciate ligament is always removed; sometimes the posterior cruciate ligament is removed as well. In some cases, this prosthesis may be applicable to individuals who were previously considered too young to undergo a total knee replacement. The Oxford® implant utilizes a minimally invasive procedure in which patients may experience less pain and a quicker recovery time than experienced with a total knee replacement.



To be qualified to implant an Oxford, the United States Food and Drug Administration requires an orthopedic surgeon to attend a special training course. This training is required because the implantation technique for this procedure is very precise and the operation must be done correctly.  Please see Oxford-Trained Surgeons.

If you have substantial pain in your knee, you should schedule and appointment for a complete evaluation of your knee pain problem. You may only require an arthroscopic surgery, you may need an Oxford, or you may need a total replacement . Most substantial knee pain problems can be helped or cured by modern orthopedic surgery.

1 Price A J., Svard U. The Oxford Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Fifteen-Year Survival Results From an independent series B.O.A. Meeting 2000, London

Please call 1-800-981-7793 to order patient brochures and other printed information on the Biomet Oxford Partial Knee System.