Is it time for a partial knee replacement?
When arthritis in just one part of the knee starts stealing your sleep, your walks and your independence, a partial knee replacement can give them back – often with a smaller operation and quicker recovery than a full knee replacement. Mr Ashwin Unnithan is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with a specific clinical interest in unicompartmental knee replacement, and at your consultation he reviews your imaging with you and discusses every option, including non-surgical measures, so surgery is only recommended when it is genuinely the right choice.
Mr Unnithan offers both conventional and robotic-assisted partial knee replacement, using implants with excellent long-term performance data recorded on the National Joint Registry, and plans surgery around your own anatomy and activity level rather than a standard template.
You might recognise these signs
- Knee pain confined mainly to one side of the joint
- Night pain that disturbs your sleep
- Walking distance shrinking month by month
- Painkillers no longer working
If your knee pain sits predominantly on one side rather than throughout the whole joint, you may be a good candidate for a partial rather than total knee replacement – worth discussing at consultation.
What is a partial knee replacement?
A partial, or unicompartmental, knee replacement resurfaces only the damaged section of the knee – commonly the inner (medial) compartment – leaving the healthy cartilage, ligaments and bone elsewhere in the joint untouched. Because less of the knee is altered, many patients experience a more natural-feeling knee, a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to activity compared with a total knee replacement.
Not every patient with knee arthritis is suitable for this approach – it depends on which parts of the knee are affected and the health of your ligaments – which is why careful assessment and imaging at consultation are essential before recommending it.
Why choose Mr Ashwin Unnithan for partial knee replacement in Wimbledon?
- Specific clinical interest
unicompartmental knee replacement is one of Mr Unnithan’s named areas of clinical focus, not a peripheral offering.
- Minimally invasive technique
as a minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgeon, the aim is less soft-tissue disruption and a smoother recovery.
- Robotic precision where appropriate
robotic-assisted planning can help fine-tune implant positioning and knee balance in suitable patients.
- Knee pain but not sure it's arthritis?
If your symptoms involve catching or locking rather than steady wear, knee arthroscopy may be the more relevant first step.
- High-volume, senior surgeon
over ten years’ experience as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon managing both straightforward and complex knee cases.
- Careful patient selection
an honest assessment of whether a partial or total knee replacement – or an osteotomy – genuinely suits your knee.
- Local accessibility
based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, easily reached from Wimbledon and South-West London, with appointments usually available within days and no GP referral needed for an initial consultation.
- Recognised standing
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, member of the British Orthopaedic Association and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
At a glance
Your treatment journey
Consultation & imaging
X-rays, a thorough examination and an honest discussion of whether a partial or total knee replacement suits your knee.
Planning
A personalised surgical plan is built, with 3D robotic planning where suitable, to protect your healthy compartments and ligaments.
Surgery & recovery
Because only part of the knee is treated, most patients stay just one night and are walking the same day, supported by an enhanced recovery programme.
Rehab & follow-up
Structured physiotherapy and scheduled reviews help you regain strength and confidence, with many patients returning to activity faster than after a total knee replacement.