Total or Partial Knee Replacement?

He did have the total knee replacement done in August of 2025 and still has a lot of pain and needs a cane to walk.

I had total knee replacement a year and a half ago and it’s still swollen and it still hurts and now I’m scheduled for the other day to be replaced on the 23rd of this month and I’m scared. Different doctor he’s already done two hip replacements on me and I was very pleased with him, but I’m still scared.

@jangiraro

A good revision surgeon will fix your knee. Good luck!

@jangiraro
Of course you're scared. I was terrified, and then found knee replacement surgery to be so brutal and depressing that I avoid doctors now. But there is some hope here on this portal. People have discussed what qualifications surgeons need, what questions to ask when you interview the doctor before you hire him/her, what different surgical techniques they use and the effects, good and bad approaches to physical therapy afterward, the need for a good primary physician after surgery because the surgeon will likely be unavailable and often uninterested in your recovery, etc. Please take the time to read through the postings throughout the support groups here as soon as you can before the surgery. If I had known even a teaspoon's worth of the good info found here I would have had a different set of medical providers and a better experience. Good luck to you.

My first doctor told me I needed bilateral knee replacement. When I went to my second doctor he told me that only one of the compartments of my knee had arthritis and the other two were totally normal. I then had an MRI to confirm his opinion sure enough I had no degeneration in my two compartment so I underwent a partial knee replacement five weeks ago. I urge everybody to get a second opinion and to make sure you have an MRI before undergoing total knee replacement, the first doctor is a renowned specialist in the Philadelphia area and has been practicing many years. He barely looked at my x-ray when deciding I needed bilateral knee replacement. I am so thankful I went to a younger innovative doctor that had me go through the MRI. Many doctors do not know how to perform a partial knee replacement. From what I understand , it is much more complicated and requires precision. If anyone is interested in going through this there is a lot of information out there featuring doctors that are now specializing in this procedure. I am happy with my choice. I am 70 years old and hopefully this partial will last another 20 years if I lived that long I was off the cane within two weeks and doing serious physical therapy and continue to do so. This procedure or any knee replacement is not for the faint of heart. Everyone is different and everyone heals at a different pace. This whole experience has certainly humbled me as it is the first time I have been in the hospital. I am hoping that all goes well in my recovery and maintain a positive attitude. Good luck to anybody facing either total knee replacement or partial knee replacement again do your homework.

I know everyone has a different pain limit but this second day ( partial) is overwhelming! Any advice? Is this the worst day???

@jangiraro so if I am reading right this is your first revision. They checked all the stand out stuff like infection, allergy to metals used. Sometimes I think we overlook the obvious. I like you had tkr , manipulation, revision all within 14 months . I have Arthrofibrosis I develop an over abundance of scar tissue . I was typing more I erased it . Look up Arthrofibrosis see if you can relate , talk to your Dr about it if a possibility you can have. No surgery will help have to find a good pt that specializes in it they will be the heroes . I know this because after almost 4 years I found pt that is helping . There is some time when not pain with every step which is awesome I am at 70 flexion and about 15 off extension so I know I will improve those numbers. I was at 90 for long time until car accident set me back. For us people that have issues I believe we put in so much more work to get the flexion and extension . No days off if you want to keep it. There have been time I exercise everyday and still lost some motion with Arthrofibrosis . So good luck in whatever you do I know the weight of the decision is heavy. I think harder second time because you know exactly what to expect , but I must say the revision did go much better I woke up with no pain they put in knee was 3 times smaller . Until they have a test that can check for Arthrofibrosis unfortunately more people will suffer through this vicious, cycle of tkr , revision and manipulation.

@jrs0303 Are you taking the pain meds as prescribed and icing your knee at least 20 minutes every hour? Pain medication works best in early recovery stages when take regularly and not waiting for the pain to become severe.
Also, what level of swelling do you have? This can increase post-surgical pain. Try keeping your knee elevated above your heart whenever you are not up and moving (a recliner does not accomplish this) - even in bed, place a pillow under the new knee and lower leg.

I have had double knee replacement in the last year and I was bone on bone. Having said that, if it were me I would go with the surgeon who has done more surgeries because he has more experience. My surgeon had done many knee surgeries and had excellent feedback. Also, I would think if it's bone on bone and experiencing pain, I would go for a total. One other idea is to ask the Dr. if one of his patients would be willing to speak with you about his experience. My Dr. referred someone to me after my surgery for support so I know it's an option. It's a difficult decision so good luck!

Awesome!!! Many thanks.