Total knee replacement can be performed in the traditional method (8 inch to 10 inch incision) and total hip replacement with 10 inches to 12 inches incision. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) involves smaller incision and minimal soft tissue and muscle disruption.

Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement

Minimally invasive total knee replacement is a technique developed to minimize the negative effect on the quadriceps muscle (the muscle that runs across the front of your thigh). When you straighten out your knee while you are sitting, you feel this powerful muscle working in front of thigh and knee is quadriceps. The center of the quadriceps muscle is the quadriceps tendon, which provides much of the power to the knee joint.

In traditional knee replacement surgery, this muscle and tendon group is usually split lengthwise to gain access to the knee. It is sewn and repaired at the end of the surgery. In minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, the knee joint is accessed without cutting through the quadriceps tendon called "quad-sparing". Patients have found they experience less pain and a quicker recovery with this type of surgery.

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Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement

Minimal incision hip replacement surgery lets the surgeon perform hip replacement through one smaller incision. Compared with most people getting hip replacements, candidates for minimal incision procedures are typically thinner, younger, healthier and more motivated to have a quick recovery.

Before you decide to have a minimally invasive hip replacement, get a thorough evaluation from the operating surgeon. Discuss with him or her about the risks and benefits. Both traditional and minimally invasive hip replacement procedures are technically demanding. They require that the surgeon and operating team have considerable experience.

The artificial implants used for the minimally invasive hip replacement procedures are the same as those used for traditional hip replacement. Specially designed instruments are needed to prepare the socket and femur and to place the implants properly. The artificial hip is implanted in the same way. But there is less soft-tissue dissection than with longer incisions.

A single minimally invasive hip incision may measure only 3-inches to 6-inches. It depends on the size of the patient and the difficulty of the procedure. The incision is usually placed over the outside of the hip. The muscles and tendons are split or detached, but to a lesser extent than in the traditional hip replacement operation. They are routinely repaired after the surgeon places the implants. This helps healing. It helps prevent dislocation of the hip.

MI-THR

Potential Advantages of MIS

1. Less pain
2. Less blood loss
3. More cosmetic incisions
4. Less muscle damage
5. Rehabilitation is faster
6. Shorter hospital stay--for traditional knee and hip replacement, the average hospital stay is five to seven days. Many patients need extensive rehabilitation afterward. With less invasive procedures, the hospital stay may be as short as three to four days.

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