Minimally invasive joint replacement

What is minimally invasive joint replacement?

In a traditional knee replacement surgery an 15-20 cms long vertical incision is made in the center of the knee to access the joint. Traditionally quadriceps muscle which stabilises and extends the knee is cut on inner side to expose the joint. Hence it takes longer time for the muscle to recover after surgery. This leads to more pain, slow mobilisation, and dependence on walker for nearly a month.

In a minimally invasive surgery an incision of length less than 10 cms is made along the knee. Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery also spares the quadriceps muscle by mid or sub vastus approach.

Benefits

• Smaller incisions
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter rehabilitation periods
• Limited blood loss
• Less peri-operative pain