MINIMALLY INVASIVE KNEE REPLACEMENT

1. MINIMALLY INVASIVE KNEE REPLACEMENT MIS as an alternative to knee replacement surgery

2. Asurgical procedure done to replace the weight bearing areas of the knee by invading the knee in minimally invasive manner through a 2 to 3 inch incision, with less cutting of skin. • The damaged part of knee is taken out and an artificial prosthesis is placed inside.

3. This method is a great alternative to knee surgery for patients with arthritis or other disabilities due to its advantage of using modern biomaterials and making smaller incisions when compared to total knee replacement.

4. What makes minimally invasive knee surgery more useful? • As the name suggests, the cut made is only 2 to 3 inches which spares surrounding soft tissues from surgical trauma and further damage • The artificial implants are designed in such a manner that they align themselves to give more mobility and range of motion

5. Surgical Equipment The surgical equipment's are • improved • guidance through by robotics • computer navigation • Expert surgeons

6. MIS offers • Minimum need for the patient to stay in the hospital • Speedy recovery • The procedure is sometimes performed on outpatient department • The treatment is carried with least possible damage to the body • Risks of infections are reduced

7. Results MIS gives better results when it comes to • movement • walking • climbing stairs and • other chores of daily routine

8. When is MIS indicated? • MIS can be chosen as an alternative to knee surgeryif the patients suffer from advanced osteoarthritis after 50 years of age, with or without deformity. • MIS is good as a choice

9. In cases of excruciating pain, where other conservative methods like medicines or physical therapy have failed to give any relief • Apart from this, the surgeon may also suggest the same when patient finds difficulty in everyday activities like using toilet, kneeling, forward bending or walking.

10. How is minimally invasive surgery performed? Orthopedic surgeon performs a physical examination including • Range of motion testing • X-ray • Patients complete medical history and • Discussing alternatives with the patient about minimally invasive surgery. The aim of MIS is to provide more stability and early recovery to the knee joint.

11. The procedure is done by making a small incision in the quadriceps muscle tendon. Quadriceps aides in standing, walking, knee straightening etc. Therefore the procedure also preserves the function of this muscle. After the knee joint is exposed, the knee cap is simply pushed aside unlike traditional surgery when the knee cap was turned over. The damaged areas are scraped, removed and the modern prosthesis is placed inside.

12. What are the side effects of MIS? • The common side effect is dislodgement of a clot from leg veins to the arteries of heart or lungs and producing severe complications and even death. This can be taken care by wearing a compression stocking. • A poor implant size with large or thin spacers can also make adjustment of prosthesis difficult as they would not match the size of the joint. Not only this, the implant may loosen from its original position due to an accident, fracture, osteoporosis and in advanced rheumatoid arthritis.

13. A common complication may arise when exercises are not started in time and patient suffers with knee stiffness or limited bending of the knee. • This often results when there is scarring or formation of thick adhesions in the joint cavity. There could also be chances of infection precipitating in a few days after surgery if it is not done sterile conditions.