Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery is a new type of surgery that can have you back on your feet faster than ever before. Thanks to a smaller incision, there is less trauma to the underlying muscles and soft tissues resulting in a smaller scar, less post-operative pain and a faster return to normal activities. In fact, minimally invasive knee replacement surgery may allow faster recovery compared to traditional knee replacement surgery.

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery represents a new way to perform knee replacement surgery. It involves surgical techniques that are easier on your tissues and allow the procedure to be performed through a smaller soft tissue “window.”  The payoff for patients is less pain and a faster recovery.

Trauma caused by tissue damage causes pain and swelling during part of the normal healing process. Since less invasive surgery requires far less cutting and dissection of normal tissues, the end result is less pain during recovery.

With minimally invasive surgery, the time needed in the hospital to gain independence and achieve comfort is shortened considerably.

The following chart shows some general advantages to knee replacement surgery using minimally invasive surgical techniques when compared to traditional knee replacement surgery.

Generally, anyone can benefit from a less invasive surgical technique. In some cases, due to the size or weight of the patient, the incision must be extended, but the trauma to the surrounding tissues will still be reduced when compared to traditional surgery. Your orthopaedic surgeon will try to keep the incision as small as possible, but there are times when the patient is best served by a larger incision.

Minimally invasive knee replacement can have you back on your feet faster than ever before. Stronger, potentially longer-lasting implants like OXINIUM* Oxidized Zirconium implants, increase your ability to achieve greater range of motion in your knee as well as your ability to enjoy more of life’s activities.

Talk to your orthopaedic surgeon to determine if minimally invasive knee replacement and OXINIUM implants are the right options for you.

^1.Swanson, Todd V., M.D., Hanna, Rammy S., M.D., “Advantages of Cementless THA Using Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique”. Exhibit at 2003 AAOS Meeting, New Orleans, LA.

^2.Chimento, GF, Sculco, TP. “Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement”. Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics. 2001;11(4):270-3.

Computer-assisted knee replacement surgery

Computer-assisted knee replacement surgery gives orthopaedic surgeons greater ability to perform less invasive procedures due to the enhanced surgical visualization. It also allows for more accurate knee implant alignment and positioning by providing an advanced connection to medical technologies.

Computer-assisted knee replacement software helps surgeons visualize more than what can normally be seen through incisions and takes critical measurements throughout the surgery that are not possible without the assistance of computers.

Before beginning the knee replacement procedure, your surgeon helps the computer locate specific landmarks and take critical measurements of your body. Once the computer has this basic information, it can track the precise position of your leg, the knee implant and the surgeon’s instruments at all times during your surgery.

Throughout the surgery, the computer provides constant feedback and information to your surgeon. Your orthopaedic surgeon still does all of the work, the computer simply puts together the information coming in from the instruments and tells your surgeon where the precise implant position should be.

Given that every patient is different, this real-time, patient-specific, computer-guided accuracy is unmatched in the history of knee replacement surgery.

Computer-assisted surgery gives orthopaedic surgeons greater capabilities to perform less invasive procedures due to enhanced visualization. A smaller incision made during your knee replacement surgery means less trauma to the underlying muscles and soft tissues as well as less blood loss. This leads to a shorter hospital stay, shorter rehabilitation and a faster return to a greater quality of life.

Because computer-assisted surgery allows more precise alignment and placement of the knee implant it may also extend the lifespan of your knee replacement by reducing uneven wear. It also may help increase your range of motion.

In essence, computer-assisted surgery is like a GPS system for orthopaedic surgeons. It allows for longer-lasting implants and fewer complications. Talk to your orthopaedic surgeon to find out if computer assisted knee replacement surgery is an available option for you.