Dr Tarandeep Singh Gill — MS Ortho, MCh Ortho
Director – Joint Replacement & Robotic Surgery · RoboLens FT3D Pioneer · Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali
Most patients who come in expecting to hear that they need a total knee replacement leave a little surprised when partial replacement comes up as an option. It sounds like a lesser procedure — a compromise. It isn’t. For the right patient, partial knee replacement (also called unicompartmental knee arthroplasty or knee resurfacing) produces a more natural-feeling result than total replacement, with faster recovery and less surgical disruption to the joint.
The catch: not everyone qualifies. And the selection criteria matter a great deal to the outcome.
Who Is a Candidate
The classic criteria for partial knee replacement are: arthritis confined to one compartment of the knee (typically the medial/inner side), intact cruciate ligaments (especially the ACL), no significant knee deformity, and a patient who is motivated for rehabilitation. Age matters less than most people think — partial replacement is performed in patients from their 40s to their 80s when the anatomy is right.
Patients with diffuse arthritis involving multiple compartments, significant deformity, or ligament insufficiency are better served by total replacement. Getting this distinction right is what makes the pre-operative assessment so important.
The FT3D Approach to Partial Resurfacing
Dr. TS Gill’s FT3D technique was specifically developed for partial knee resurfacing. Using real-time fluoroscopic guidance (no pre-operative CT scan needed), the procedure resurfaces only the damaged compartment with precision-fitted components. The rest of the knee — the healthy cartilage, the cruciate ligaments, the other compartment — is left completely untouched.
This preservation of the native joint anatomy is why partial replacement typically feels more natural post-operatively. Patients describe the knee as “feeling like their own” in a way that total replacement patients don’t always report, at least in the early recovery period.
Recovery
Recovery after partial knee replacement is faster than total. Most patients are walking comfortably within 2–3 weeks, driving by 4–6 weeks, and back to full activity by 3 months. The smaller surgical trauma means less post-operative pain and a quicker return to normal function.
If you’re in Mohali, Chandigarh, or Panchkula with medial knee pain and have been told you need a knee replacement, it’s worth asking specifically whether you’re a candidate for partial resurfacing. A consultation with Dr. TS Gill will give you a clear answer based on your imaging and clinical picture.
