Facts
Minimally-invasive surgical techniques have been around for some time in general surgery. One good example of this is so-called “keyhole” or laparoscopic surgery to remove the gall bladder, where general surgeons insert small instruments and tiny cameras through small incisions to remove trouble-causing gall bladders. The same techniques have also been used in OB/GYN to perform a number of gynecological surgery procedures. 

For years, orthopedic surgeons have used arthroscopic surgical techniques to repair knees, shoulders, knees, elbows and other parts of the musculoskeletal system. And the same techniques are being successfully applied to total hip and knee replacements – where worn out or non-functioning joints are rebuilt using special prosthetic devices and other materials, while preserving as much of your natural bone and tissue as possible.   
The advantages of using minimally-invasive surgery versus traditional “open” procedures are multiple: less bleeding, less “collateral damage” to surrounding tissues, smaller incisions and surgical scars, a shorter hospital stay, faster healing and recovery, and less pain for you. The bottom line: getting you back on your feet and back to work or to the activities you love more quickly.

Smaller Scars and Happier Patients
Minimally-invasive surgical techniques as applied to total knee replacements can make a remarkable difference for you. Minimally-invasive knee replacement surgery involves an incision of only three to four inches compared to the eight to 10-inch incision required with traditional “open” surgery. From a cosmetic or aesthetic standpoint alone, this is something to be applauded.

Orthopedic surgeons are able to access the parts of the knee they need to reach through a much smaller incision without cutting into tendons, muscles and other tissues. One way to think of this is a tissue-sparing approach or a “gentler” surgery. The idea here is that doctors want to fix the parts in need of replacement or repair without damaging other areas in the process.

A primary goal of the procedure is reducing pain after surgery and speeding recovery. Pain control is important not only because it makes you feel better, but also because pain can be a limiting factor in how much patients are able to get up, move and participate in rehabilitation exercises after surgery. Getting you back up on their feet as soon as possible, under the guidance of physicians and physical therapists, is absolutely essential to your rapid recovery.  

Computer-Assisted Navigation Makes Surgery Safer and More Accurate  
Any surgery carries certain risks, such as infection, bleeding, and blood clots. When surgeons operate through smaller incisions, their field of vision can sometimes be reduced. The surgeons at The Joint Replacement center have overcome this potential problem by using a new, state-of-the-art computer-assisted mapping and navigation system.

Computer-assisted mapping and navigation systems make joint replacement surgery safer when visibility is compromised.

Thus, our surgeons are able to operate through small incisions while maintaining the “big picture” view of where they are at any given time. It also lets them align the prosthetic devices and other materials used in joint replacement surgery with amazing, pinpoint accuracy.

Minimally-invasive surgery isn’t for everyone. But is it right for you?
Patients who are very obese, who have very stiff knees, or who have very extensive knee damage from trauma or previous multiple surgeries are usually not good candidates for minimally-invasive knee replacement surgeries. They can still benefit greatly from traditional “open” knee replacement surgery, however.

In the future, as techniques and technologies evolve, the hope is that more and more joint replacement patients will be able to benefit from all of the advantages that minimally-invasive surgery offers.

To find out if you are a candidate for minimally-invasive joint replacement surgery, please call The Joint Replacement Center today to arrange an appointment to see the doctor. Our number is 650-985-7515.