Knee replacement surgery is a treatment usually used for severe knee arthritis. A knee replacement uses a metal and plastic implant to replace the worn-out cartilage of the knee joint.
Traditionally, a knee replacement surgery is performed through an incision over the front of the knee that measures about 6-10 inches long. Recently, there has been interest in developing surgical procedure that are "less invasive." A less invasive, or minimally invasive, procedure is intended to accomplish the same goals as a traditional surgery, with less incision, less dissection, and less scar formation. The hope is that minimally invasive surgery will decrease side-effects, minimize pain, and speed recovery.
A study presented at this week's meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has reported the rate of failure of a minimally invasive knee replacement is higher than with a traditional knee replacement. This is the primary concern of those opposed to minimally invasive knee replacement surgery--by not exposing the knee joint as well, the implants are not being properly placed, and therefore more likely to wear out quickly.
Related: Minimally Invasive Surgery | Mini-Hip Replacement | Knee Replacement Surgery
Sources:
Miller DW. Minimal incision surgery as a risk factor for early failure of total knee replacement. Paper #272. Presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 76th Annual Meeting. Feb. 25-28, 2008. Las Vegas.
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Really good work about this website was done. Keep trying more – thanks!
extremely poorly designed study.
Since standard knee replacement has been around for a long period but minimally invasive knee replacement is a relatively recent modification problems with the newer procedure would be associated with a shorter interval than with the older procedure
The authors should have corrected for this variable
I’ve also heard about this report Doc. Jonathan…. now zimmer nexgen knee recall has been increasing. Thanks for posting this too.
i dont care which type of surgery it is, i am sorry i got my right knee replaced in august of 2010. i am only 39 yrs. old, and never injured my knee. i had my first arthroscopy in 1995, the 2nd in 2006, and the replacement in 2010. i have had physical therepy since 3 wks. after my replacement, been on anti-inflamitories, pain medications, injections, etc… i still cant straighten or bend my knee, and has caused me to have severe pain in my right heel, and big toe due to not being able to walk straight. orthopaedic doctors are quacks!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m sorry Marie had a bad doctor for her knee replacement. The Orthpaedic Ass. is politically biased. The fact is their hospital has to spend a million bucks for the microscope to enable them to do a minimally invasive hip or knee replacement. so let’s blame the Zimmer Co. I’m RN, 64, and have had my minimally invasively placed Zimmer total knee replacements for over 5 years now which Dr. Richard Berger in Chicago put in at Rush U. Hospital. I can do anything. My female, athletic implant is magnificent and was put in by the best of the best. Same day surgery, off crutches in a few days and finished physical therapy in three weeks causing quite a stir in the medical community here. Docs are intimidated and closed minded and will look for any reason to convince their patients to do things the old fashioned and just as expensive way. Fly to Chicago….fly home the same day. I promise…..it’s totally worth it to have the right doc.
Katy DeKoter
Spirit Lake, Iowa