Man with the discovery of new technologies every day is reaching new heights in present times. We want to be done with everything and anything in no time. Medical field with its advances also believes in a similar ideology. Hence, massive invasive procedures or rather surgeries are replaceable by minimally invasive techniques. Here we will talk about the newest knee replacement surgery that is most commonly used by orthopedic surgeons these days —
What is knee replacement surgery?
In a knee replacement procedure, your surgeon excludes the broken joint surface. Also, replaces it with a metal and plastic implant. A total knee replacement is a major surgery, and choosing to have the surgery done is a big verdict. Having said that it’s also known that these surgeries are lengthy and often time-consuming which isn’t that beneficial in present times. Also, the risk of postoperative complications remains.
But, nowadays with the advancement in science and technologies, top surgeons in India use the most minimally invasive procedures possible. Which suggests less blood loss, quicker recovery time, and better implant fit and knee alignment for patients.
The traditional way of knee replacement has always been total knee replacement in which —
During total knee replacement, the damaged cartilage and bone from the surface of the knee are removable, along with some soft tissues. The goal of knee replacement surgery is to give the patient with a pain-free knee that supports the return to daily movements and lasts for a long time.
What happens in the new procedure for knee replacement?
The most common and recent of all knee replacement surgeries is Minimally Invasive Partial Knee Replacement. Minimally invasive knee replacement varies from traditional knee replacement. How? It applies an incision that is roughly about half as long and lesser muscles are cut.
Minimally invasive knee replacement is accomplished by a shorter incision of 4 to 6 inches versus 8 to 10 inches for traditional knee replacement. A smaller incision allows for less tissue disturbance.
Also, Read: Knee Pain Causes, Treatments, Diagnosis, test & Related Symptoms, and Home Remedies
In addition to a shorter incision, the method used to crack open the knee is less invasive. Commonly, procedures used in minimally invasive knee replacement are “quadriceps sparing”. Indicating they sidestep trauma to the quadriceps tendon and muscles in the front of the thigh.
Other minimally invasive techniques called “midvastus” and “subvastus” create small incisions in the muscle however are also less invasive than traditional knee replacement. As the techniques used to expose the joint involve less disturbance to the muscle, it may head to less post-operative pain. Also, lessened recovery time.
Who is eligible for a minimally invasive knee replacement surgery?
Minimally invasive total knee replacement is not proper for all cases. Your doctor will carry an out-and-out evaluation and analyze different factors before concluding if the procedure is a choice for you. In general, candidates for minimal incision procedures are
- Thinner
- Younger
- Healthier
- more motivated to participate in the rehabilitation process, compared with patients who undergo traditional surgery.
Minimally invasive surgeries may be less proper for —
- patients who are overweight
- patients who have already undergone other knee surgeries.
To conclude, minimally invasive procedures are an evolving area. Also, requires more research on the long-term function and durability of the implants. Like all surgery, minimally invasive surgery has a danger of complex developments. These developments involve nerve and artery wounds, wound healing obstacles, infection, and failures in placing the prosthetic knee implants.
Another new procedure for knee replacement is also in practice like arthroscopic procedures, navigational surgery, and da Vinci robotic surgery is now available in India.