Partial knee replacement: Karl Hick's story

In November 2023, competitive runner Karl Hick was told he would never run again.

Having started running at a young age, Karl had trained alongside Olympic legends Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett and over time racked up the miles, until years of wear and tear in his knee made running too painful, grinding his training to a halt.

An initial visit to a specialist revealed Karl had severe arthritis in his knee, and a full knee replacement was recommended. While this would remove the worn knee joint, and thus the source of his pain, Karl was told he would never be able to run again.

Not ready to hang up his running shoes, Karl sought a second opinion, leading him to Three Shires Hospital in Northampton, where he met Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon, Mr Pierre Nasr.

Karl’s initial consultation

In his initial consultation with Mr Nasr, Karl made it clear that he wanted to continue running. Specifically, he was due to represent Great Britain in the 5000m and 8000m Cross Country at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden – an event he was not going to miss.

With this in mind, Mr Nasr assessed Karl’s options, and after a series of X-rays determined Karl was eligible for a partial knee replacement.

On his decision to do a partial knee replacement, Mr Nasr says, “As a broad principle, it’s best to opt for the least invasive procedure. In Karl’s case, X-rays showed that only part of the knee was worn. This allowed us to remove the affected areas while keeping the anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) intact and functioning. By preserving the parts of the knee that didn’t show significant arthritis, we maintained the natural biomechanics of the knee.”

By preserving the natural biomechanics of his knee and performing an operation that involved less bone cutting, Karl was able to get back on his feet much faster due to a shorter recovery time, and most importantly regained the mobility he needed to continue running.

But why wasn’t Karl offered a partial knee replacement by the first consultant he saw? As they require precise surgical expertise, not all surgeons are trained in this procedure, making it less commonly offered. There’s also a chance that a partial knee replacement may be converted into a full knee replacement further down the line, making some specialists hesitant to offer partial knee replacements in the first place.

However, Karl’s circumstances played a significant role in Mr Nasr’s final decision.

“Others suggested a full knee replacement due to the severity of his arthritis or were not prepared to offer a knee replacement to a younger individual who wanted to continue with his very active lifestyle. However, Karl was determined to keep running. Via a shared decision making processes, we opted for a partial knee replacement and were able to improve his quality of life and allow him to return to the activities he loved most.”

Having a partial knee replacement

A month after his initial consultation, Karl returned to Three Shires Hospital for his partial knee replacement.

After being given a spinal anaesthetic, Mr Nasr began the procedure, making an incision at the front of Karl’s knee before using a fine set of instrument to remove the damaged portion of the joint, leaving the healthy bone and tissue untouched.

For the knee replacement implant, Mr Nasr reveals that “In Karl’s case, we used a ZUK partial knee replacement, an ODEP-certified unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement system with well proven results in the National Joint Registry.”

Unlike a full knee replacement, the partial knee replacement not only means smaller incisions and less scarring, but also means less recovery time, with patients typically leaving the hospital within 24 hours or, in some cases, even on the same day.

And for Karl, with the World Masters Athletics Championships only eight months away, time was of the essence – he needed to be back on the track as soon as possible.

Karl’s recovery and rehabilitation

The road to recovery was not an easy one, but Karl was no stranger to challenges. After three weeks of pain relief medication, Karl underwent an intense rehabilitation programme lasting eight weeks, centred around physiotherapy exercises designed to help Karl regain his mobility and strength with the implant in his knee.

“Physiotherapy plays a critical role in ensuring a successful recovery,” Mr Nasr shares. “The therapy concentrated on strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings while incorporating balance-oriented exercises. This regimen allowed Karl to resume running much quicker.”

Through Karl’s drive and the commitment from the Three Shires Hospital team, Karl was back on his feet and ready to compete in Gothenburg that summer. Surpassing expectations, he placed 4th in the 5000m and won silver in the 8000m Cross Country event, placing 2nd behind the USA.

Commenting on his knee surgery, Karl praises the Three Shires team. “Their work on my knee was fantastic, and I wouldn’t have made the start line without them,” he says. “They believed in me when others didn’t.”

For those in a similar predicament to Karl, Mr Nasr urges people not to wait for their condition to deteriorate. “It’s a common misconception that partial knee replacements are only suitable for older patients. You’re never too young to seek a procedure that improves your quality of life.

“Patients should exhaust all conservative measures first, like painkillers, physiotherapy and potentially steroid injections, but once those measures fail many patients, like Karl, choose to act now rather than wait until their condition worsens.

“If staying active is important to you, don’t hesitate to explore your options and consult with specialists. A second opinion can make all the difference in finding the right path forward.”

Get partial knee replacement surgery today

You can book your initial consultation with Mr Pierre Nasr for lower limb orthotics treatment online today.