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.
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.
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.
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