Should You Opt For A Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery

1. Should You Opt For A Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery? Both traditional knee replacement and minimally invasive knee replacement are performed to lessen, and even eliminate, chronic knee pain that may have aroused due to arthritis or injury in the knee. Both these surgeries require cutting of the soft tissue and bone in order to implant artificial knee components. But, the difference is that minimally invasive knee replacement requires a smaller skin incision; thus lesser cutting of other soft tissues, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This knee surgery shows how the medical field is continually evolving to improve outcomes for patients. However, this is not a widely used surgery procedure as it requires deep thinking and knowledge by surgeons. And, just like any other surgery, this surgical procedure also has both pros and cons, which makes it inappropriate for all knee replacement patients. So, let us look at the pros and cons in detail to help you know if you can undergo a minimally invasive knee replacement, or will have to stick to the traditional Total Knee Replacement in Bangalore.

2. How do both surgeries differ? •Traditional knee replacement requires an 8-12 inch incision down the middle of the knee, while minimally invasive knee replacement requires an incision of only 3-6 inches. •In a traditional knee replacement surgery, the surgeon needs to cut through quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh, the quad tendon that attaches four quadriceps muscles to the kneecap, and the surrounding soft tissue. Whereas, in the minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, the muscles and tendons are not cut, but are only lifted or pushed out of the way. •The surgeon turns over the kneecap to 180 degrees to have full access to the point where the femur and tibia meet, in the traditional knee replacement surgery. But, in minimally invasive knee replacement, the kneecap is only pushed aside. Also, the tibia is not dislocated from the femur in a minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, which is not the case in a traditional surgery. Advantages of minimally invasive surgery – Smaller incision – Less damage to skin, soft tissue, muscles, ligaments, and tendons – Less blood loss during surgery – Less pain after surgery – Faster recovery Because of lesser damage and smaller incision, there is lesser blood loss during a minimally invasive surgery. Also, lesser pain and faster recovery is often seen. And, faster recovery means patients can resume their everyday activities sooner than those who undergo a traditional knee replacement surgery. Moreover, minimally invasive surgery requires a shorter hospital stay. Where traditional surgery requires 3-7 days in the hospital, minimally invasive surgery requires the patient to stay for only 2 to 5 days.

3. Disadvantages of minimally invasive surgery After considering the above points, you would definitely prefer to undergo a minimally invasive surgery. But, before you finalize your decision, make sure to look at the below mentioned disadvantages of this surgery too. – This surgery takes a longer time to perform. – This is a technically demanding surgery because it gives the surgeon limited view of the joint. – This surgery may have unknown potential risks. – The skin and soft tissue can be stretched and torn during surgery. – There is likelihood of the knee components being poorly fit or misaligned. So now, if you are planning to undergo a knee replacement surgery, you must speak to your surgeon about the potential advantages and disadvantages that the surgery may have in respect to your condition, health, and lifestyle. Aditi @ Social Media: Facebook | Google+ | Twitter | Pinterest | LinkedIn | Blog