What is an Oxford knee replacement?
When the cartilage lining the medial (inside) part of the knee joint has worn down to the extent that there is severe pain, a replacement of that part of the joint may be the solution. Unlike a Total knee replacement (TKR), the Oxford is a Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR), which leaves the rest of the knee intact.

Why is it performed? 
Pain is by far the main reason for performing any kind of knee replacement, but you may also be suffering swelling, stiffness and deformity in the joint. If you do not have significant pain, it is probably not appropriate to undergo a UKR, due to the risks involved.

Certain conditions must be fulfilled, if you are to be a suitable candidate for a UKR, and not all patients are eligible. If the arthritis is too extensive, a TKR may be required. Your surgeon will discuss this carefully with you. There is a failure rate of UKR, and in patients under 65, it is best thought of as “buying time”, prior to TKR. The conversion of a UKR to a TKR is more straightforward than conversion of TKR to revision TKR.

What does the operation involve?
You will first be “pre-assessed” to ascertain whether you are fit enough to undergo the operation. The surgery is undertaken with special precautions to avoid infection – a special system of airflow in the operating theatre, prophylactic antibiotics, and sterilisation of all the instruments, implants and surgical area. Precautions are also taken against deep vein thrombosis, such as stockings and blood-thinning injections into your stomach.

The operation is usually done under general anaesthetic with an average 4-day stay in hospital. A small incision is made over the front of the knee, and the surgery is performed with a minimally-invasive technique.

What about pain?
Whilst you are in hospital you will be monitored and the medical staff will give you painkilling infusions, injections or tablets as required and prescribed.  When you are at home you may find Paracetamol-based analgesics and/or Ibuprofen useful for controlling any pain. Instructions on management of pain will be given by the nursing staff before you leave the hospital.