What does Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) involve?

UKA is a partial knee replacement that resurfaces only the damaged compartment of the knee, typically the medial or lateral side, while preserving the healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments. The surgeon makes a smaller incision than in total knee replacement, removes the worn cartilage and a thin layer of bone, and attaches metal and plastic components to restore smooth joint movement. This targeted approach maintains more of the knee's natural structure and function.