Partial (UKA) or Total (TKA)? Which option fits you best?

When patients in Istanbul ask about knee replacement surgery, the first big question is: “Do I need a partial knee replacement (UKA) or a total knee replacement (TKA)?” The choice isn’t just technical—it shapes your recovery speed, your confidence on the stairs, and how you feel years from now. The right answer is always personal.

UKA replaces only the worn compartment, preserving healthy bone and—when suitable—your native ligaments. That often means a smaller incision, a shorter procedure, and a faster early recovery. Many patients describe a more “natural knee feel” and return to everyday tasks sooner. But UKA success relies on proper indication: disease limited to one compartment, good ligament balance, and no severe deformity.

TKA renews the entire joint surface and remains a reliable, time-tested solution—especially for multi-compartment arthritis, significant deformity, or ligament insufficiency. Rehab can be a bit longer than with UKA, yet pain relief and functional walking are highly achievable with the right program. In our Istanbul center, we bring robot-assisted planning and bone cuts to both UKA and TKA, aiming for precise alignment and implant positioning.

Which one is for you? We combine exam, gait assessment, X-rays/MRI, and your lifestyle goals. If pain is truly isolated to one side and ligaments are competent, UKA can offer a quicker recovery with a “native” feel. If arthritis is widespread or alignment and soft-tissue balance are compromised, TKA provides predictable stability and long-term relief. In either path, we apply ERAS principles—modern anesthesia, multimodal analgesia, early mobilization, and VTE prevention—because safety comes first.

For international patients in Istanbul, the path is straightforward: share your films online, receive a preliminary plan within 24 hours, and we’ll coordinate travel, stay and physiotherapy. Whether UKA or TKA, our goal is the same: get you back to life—confidently and comfortably.