Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement (also called knee arthroplasty) is a common orthopaedic procedure that is used to replace the damaged or worn surfaces of the knee. Replacing these surfaces with an implant or “prosthesis” will relieve pain and increase mobility, allowing you to return to your normal, everyday activities.
Unlike traditional total knee replacement, the minimally invasive technique is not suitable for all patients. Your orthopaedic surgeon will discuss the different surgical options with you.
What’s the difference?
Traditional Knee Replacement
To perform a traditional knee replacement, the surgeon makes an 8- to 10-inch vertical incision over the front of the knee to expose the joint. The surgeon will then:
- Prepare the bone. The damaged cartilage surfaces at the ends of the femur and tibia are removed along with a small amount of underlying bone.
- Position the metal implants. The removed cartilage and bone is replaced with metal components that recreate the surface of the joint.
- Resurface the patella. The undersurface of the patella (kneecap) is cut and resurfaced with a plastic button. Some surgeons do not resurface the patella, depending on the case.
- Insert a spacer. A plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to create a smooth gliding surface.
Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement
In minimally invasive knee replacement, the surgical procedure is similar, but there is less cutting of the tissue surrounding the knee. The artificial implants used are the same as those used for traditional knee replacement. However, specially designed surgical instruments are used to prepare the femur and tibia and to place the implants properly.
Minimally invasive knee replacement is performed through a shorter incision—typically 4 to 6 inches versus 8 to 10 inches for traditional knee replacement. A smaller incision allows for less tissue disturbance.
Wrapping Up…
Minimally invasive knee replacement is an evolving area and more research is needed on the long-term function and durability.
The benefits of minimally invasive knee replacement have been reported to include less damage to soft tissues, leading to a quicker, less painful recovery and more rapid return to normal activities. Current evidence suggests that the long-term benefits of minimally invasive surgery do not differ from those of knee replacement performed with the traditional approach.