A Less Invasive Option for Total Knee Replacement

A Less Invasive Option for Total Knee Replacement

Traditional knee replacement surgery is proven as highly successful in alleviating pain and restoring mobility. However, rehabilitation after traditional surgery can be lengthy and painful. Many people unfortunately postpone knee replacement, not wanting to be away from work and everyday activities for months; still others are concerned about a long surgical scar. A new option has emerged, however, reducing the healing time and the incision.

Candidates for total knee arthoplasty (TKA) now have the option of using the same implants as traditional TKA but with less invasive surgery. Properly known as the Zimmer MISTM Quad-SparingTM Total Knee, the benefits of this new procedure include:

• Less trauma to muscles and tendons, which are avoided rather than cut through or manipulated
• Smaller, less conspicuous incisions – 3 to 5 inches vs. 8 to 12 inches
• Shorter total rehabilitation – from months to weeks
• Less blood loss
• Less pain
• Shorter hospital stay

As with every surgery, the results of the “mini total knee replacement” depend on the patient’s personal circumstances, including a variety of factors such as weight, activity level, bone quality, and compliance with the physical therapy program.

The surgery is performed under either a general anesthesia or a regional epidural, and usually takes between one and three hours. A rehabilitation program is begun in the hospital, as soon as possible following the surgery. About four to six hours after surgery, the patient is helped to stand; within the first 24 hours, the patient begins walking, usually using a walker. As soon as the physical therapist has cleared the patient to ambulate and actively extend the knee, the patient is discharged home. This usually occurs within 24 to 48 hours from the time of surgery. A home exercise program and physical therapy will then be prescribed. Follow-up visits with the surgeon are scheduled within the first one to two weeks after the surgery.

Within weeks of the surgery, most patients are able to walk with a cane or with no support at all. Some patients are even able to resume most normal activities (other than driving) within seven to ten days after surgery. Of course, these recovery times vary with each individual.

For more information about the Zimmer MIS Quad-Sparing Total Knee, please call Dr. Marc J. Friedman’s office at (818) 901-6600, ext. 2610.

 

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