
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Deepak Garg ( Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery)
A comprehensive surgical comparison between Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) and Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), detailing isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis criteria, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) integrity benchmarks, bone-sparing kinematic advantages, and same-day walking ERAS protocols.
CRITICAL CLINICAL RED FLAG: Patients experiencing localized inner (medial) knee pain who have full extension without severe fixed flexion deformity (>10°) and an intact anterior cruciate ligament are prime candidates for partial knee resurfacing before cartilage wear extends pan-compartmentally.
In over 45% of patients presenting with end-stage knee arthritis, cartilage degeneration is strictly isolated to the medial (inner) tibiofemoral compartment, leaving the lateral compartment and patellofemoral cartilage pristine. Conventional total knee replacement sacrifices both healthy compartments as well as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) preserves the native joint geometry, kinematics, and cruciate proprioception.
Cruciate Preservation: Both ACL and PCL remain 100% intact, maintaining physiological rollback and natural knee kinematics.
Minimal Bone Resection: Only 2 to 3 mm of subchondral bone is resurfaced, saving over 75% of native bone stock.
Subvastus Muscle Sparing: Performed through a 6–8 cm incision without dividing the quadriceps tendon or eversion of the patella.
Long-term 20-year prosthesis survivorship exceeding 92% depends strictly on stringent pre-operative radiographic and clinical selection:
Intact Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Proven via physical Lachman exam and MRI or stress radiology.
Correctable Varus Deformity: Varus deformity must be passively correctable to neutral, not exceeding 10–12°.
Absence of Flexion Contracture: Fixed flexion contracture must be less than 5–10°, with full flexion preserved beyond 110°.
Pristine Lateral Joint Space: Full-thickness articular cartilage in the lateral compartment confirmed on valgus stress radiographs.
"Partial knee replacement preserves both the ACL and PCL along with 75% of your natural bone cartilage, delivering a joint that truly feels natural rather than artificial." — Dr. Deepak Garg

Utilizing real-time 3D optical tracking during surgery allows sub-millimeter positioning of the femoral runner and tibial baseplate. Real-time gap tension graphs prevent over-correction of the mechanical axis into valgus, eliminating late wear in the opposite compartment.
CLINICAL CAUTION: Unicompartmental knee replacement is contraindicated in inflammatory autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis, significant lateral compartment cartilage loss, or gross patellofemoral subluxation.
Because normal quadriceps activation is never interrupted and post-operative blood loss is minimal (<50 mL), patients achieve unassisted walking within 3 to 4 hours post-operatively. Return to golf, cycling, swimming, and light tennis occurs within 3 to 6 weeks.
1. The Oxford Knee: Long-term 20-year results of mobile-bearing unicompartmental arthroplasty — Bone Joint J, 2021; 103-B(5): 900-908.
2. Robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty demonstrates superior implant accuracy — Journal of Arthroplasty, 2022; 37(8): 1512-1519.

Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
MBBS (TNMC Mumbai), DNB Orthopaedics (PGI & SP Miraj), Fellowship Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy (Fortis Hospital, New Delhi), Fellowship Orthopaedic Oncology (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi)

16+ Years Experience
Spica — Grover Hospital
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Proprietary surgical methodologies and precision protocols pioneered by our senior directors to minimize trauma, protect natural anatomy, and accelerate recovery.

Dr. Deepak Garg (Orthopaedic Surgical Oncology - RGCI Delhi Trained) and Dr. Neha Gupta (Medical Oncology) co-lead the Bone Cancer & Sarcoma Center at Spica Healthcare. Integrating intensive multi-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols (MAP: High-Dose Methotrexate, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin for Osteosarcoma; VIDE: Vincristine, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide for Ewing Sarcoma) with 3D computer-navigated limb salvage surgery and modular titanium megaprosthetic joint reconstruction, 5-year survival rates exceed 75% to 80% while saving over 95% of patients from limb amputation.
Spica Healthcare — Bone and Cancer Institute, Bathinda — is South-Western Punjab's premier super-speciality centre led by AIIMS and Tata Memorial fellowship-trained directors.
Every diagnostic MRI review, surgical staging, and operation is personally directed by chief clinical specialists — Dr. Deepak Garg (Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotics) and Dr. Neha Gupta (Medical Oncology) — guaranteeing zero junior proxies.
Sub-millimeter implant positioning and soft-tissue ligament balancing ensuring patients walk comfortably within 24 hours of total knee replacement.
South-West Punjab's only dedicated centre for modular titanium megaprosthesis, saving natural limbs and functions in 95%+ of bone cancer patients.
Full cashless coverage for Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), Punjab Govt Health Schemes, ECHS, and 30+ private insurance networks with on-desk approvals.
Positive-pressure HEPA filtered theatres minimizing infection rates below international benchmarks with 24/7 dedicated critical care backup.
Fellowship-trained surgical directors from AIIMS & Tata Memorial providing compassionate, world-class tertiary care in super-speciality orthopaedics and medical oncology.

Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Medical Oncology
MBBS (BFUHS Faridkot), MD Radiation Oncology (BFUHS Faridkot), DrNB Medical Oncology (Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad), Precision Oncology (Harvard, USA), Ex Consultant RGCI New Delhi


Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
16+ Yrs ExpSenior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
MBBS (TNMC Mumbai), DNB Orthopaedics (PGI & SP Miraj), Fellowship Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy (Fortis Hospital, New Delhi), Fellowship Orthopaedic Oncology (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi)
Free OPD screening camps, director-led masterclasses, and national oncology representations by Spica Healthcare.
Real stories from patients who recovered through limb preservation surgery, 3D robotic joint replacements, and precision cancer care at Spica Healthcare — Grover Hospital, Bathinda.
Evidence-based surgical recovery roadmaps, robotic joint protocols, and precision oncology insights written by our clinical directors.