Types of Knee Replacement: TKR, PKR, Patellofemoral and Robotic
Not all knee replacements are the same. A quick guide to total, partial, patellofemoral, and robotic knee replacement — and how to tell which one is right for you.
By Dr Arunangshu Mukherjee — Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
“Knee replacement” is often spoken of as a single operation, but there are actually several distinct procedures, each suited to a different pattern of joint disease. Choosing the right one is as important as choosing the right surgeon — the right-sized operation preserves natural tissue, speeds recovery, and gives a more natural-feeling knee.
Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
- Replaces the damaged surfaces of the thigh bone, shin bone, and often the kneecap
- Most common type — suited to arthritis affecting all three compartments of the knee
- Hospital stay: 3–5 days; walking with a walker from Day 1
- Implants typically last 15–20+ years with modern materials
Partial (Unicompartmental) Knee Replacement (PKR / UKR)
- Replaces only the damaged side (medial, lateral, or patellofemoral)
- Suited to younger, active patients with arthritis in only one compartment
- Smaller incision, less bone resection, faster recovery — often walking unaided within days
- Feels more like a natural knee than TKR, because the ligaments are preserved
- Not for everyone — must have intact ligaments and disease in only one compartment
Patellofemoral Replacement
- Replaces only the kneecap (patella) and the groove it slides in
- Suited to isolated patellofemoral arthritis — uncommon but specific
- Preserves the rest of the knee for later TKR if ever needed
Robotic / Navigation-Assisted Knee Replacement
- Not a different implant — any of the above can be done with robotic assistance
- Computer-planned and executed cuts, accurate to within <1 mm and <1°
- Particularly useful in complex cases, previous knee surgery, or unusual anatomy
- Used with TKR and increasingly with PKR
“The best knee replacement is the smallest one that addresses your disease.”
Deciding which procedure is right for you is a discussion between you and your surgeon, based on X-rays, physical examination, your age and activity level, and often an MRI. A good surgeon should be able to offer all of these options — or refer you to one who can — rather than defaulting to TKR for every case.
Key takeaway
If you have been told you need a total knee replacement, it’s worth asking whether a partial or patellofemoral replacement might be possible instead. Not every arthritic knee needs a full replacement — and preserving the parts that are still healthy pays off for decades.
About the author
Dr Arunangshu Mukherjee
Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon · MBBS · MS (Orthopaedics) · PhD · Fellowship in Lower Limb Arthroplasty, Glasgow. 30 years of practice across India, Scotland (NHS) and Saudi Arabia. Currently Professor of Orthopaedics at LNCT Medical College & Sevakunj Hospital and Senior Consultant at Sanjeevni Nursing Home, Indore.
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