Patient Education: Medical Links

Minimally Invasive Knee Surgery

Indications for Knee Replacement Surgery
The total knee replacement or knee arthroplasty is a procedure that replaces the damaged or arthritic joint surface. The indications for knee replacement are clinically made based on physical findings of an examination and x-rays. The main reasons for knee arthroplasty are pain and loss of function.

Minimally Invasive Surgery
The term minimally invasive surgery is somewhat of a misnomer. The terms minimal and joint replacement surgery should not be used in conjunction with each other. The decision of a patient to proceed with joint arthroplasty is significant. The more appropriate term for minimally invasive surgery is muscle-sparing techniques (MST). There are significant advantages for the patient with the MST surgical methods. The MST surgical techniques allow the joint to be exposed and replaced by separating or retracting and not cutting the muscles and tendons. There are a number of orthopedic companies that provide the replacement components and instrumentation for MST placement with very little difference between the providers and components.

Advantages of Muscle Sparing Techniques
Since sell muscle and tendons are disturbed by the smaller incision wound closure and recovery is faster and less painful. With recovery being faster the return to normal daily activities such as walking, driving, shopping, and sports activities such as golf are much quicker. Other advantages include less pain, smaller less conspicuous incision, shorter rehabilitation, less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay.

Risks Associated with Joint Replacement Surgery
The minimally invasive surgical exposures may be less traumatic than the conventional exposures, but the procedure is still a joint replacement. The complications are those that occur with any major surgical procedure and with joint replacements as a whole. As with any surgery or joint replacement even though serious complication are very low the more commonly seen include infection, swelling of the legs, blood clots, medication reactions, pneumonia or other cardiopulmonary problems. Complications can delay dismissal from the hospital and occasionally slow rehabilitation from the procedure.

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