​Knee Osteoarthritis (OA Knee) Treatment: Surgical Options

Surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis ​includes a total knee replacement (TKR), and other procedures such as key-hole surgery and knee arthroscopy.

​Information is provided by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.

Surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA knee)

Arthroscopic Debridement


Some patients may be candidates for this key-hole surgical procedure. During this operation, the surgeon shaves away the damaged parts of the cartilage inside the knee, and stimulates healing by creating small holes in the bone.

Knee Arthroscopy

Injection of Visco-supplement (Gel) into the Knee


This is a relatively simple procedure where gel is injected into the knee to relieve pain from OA. However, the gel is expensive and the results of the procedure may vary for different patients.

Total Knee Replacement (TKR)

A total knee replacement (TKR) replaces both the medial and lateral compartments of the knee, and sometimes the patellofemoral compartment.

 

Unicompartmental Knee Replacement

A unicompartmental (one compartment) knee replacement replaces only the most worn-out compartment within the knee, typically the medial compartment. 

 

Above: Unicompartmental knee replacement side view

 

Above: Unicompartmental knee replacement front view

Because #healthiswealth #healthforgood

Ref: L20

Other osteoarthritis articles you may be interested in:

Osteoarthritis: What You Need to Know

Osteoarthritis Prevention: What You Can Do 

Related Articles

Public Events

17 Jul 2025
Talks Health Talk: Nutrition Demonstration @ SHP-Eunos
​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More
17 Jul 2025
Talks Health Talk: Thyroid Disorder @ SHP-Marine Parade
​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More
19 Jul 2025
Public Forum Common Corneal Disorders – What You Need to Know
Online  •  Free Learn More
19 Jul 2025
Workshop CancerWise Workshop 2025: Nutrition for Patients with Chronic Diseases (Diabetes and Hypertension) During Treatment
Online  •  Free Learn More