NEW TECHNOLOGY BEING REVIEWED: TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT
Knee replacement surgery is among the most remarkable of surgical innovations in orthopedic surgery. Pain relief and return of function after successful total knee replacement can often last the lifetime of the patient. Even so, the pain, rehabilitation, and recovery associated with the surgical procedure are a concern for many patients. The purpose of this article is to help familiarize you with minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, so that you can make an informed choice about the procedure.
Advances in anesthesia techniques and modern pain management methods, including the use of newer analgesics (pain medications), have reduced pain and improved recovery following knee replacement surgery. With shorter hospital stays and an earlier return to work and daily activities, any strategy to accelerate recovery after knee replacement surgery and make the experience more pleasant is desirable. “Minimally invasive knee replacement” is a term that is used by doctors, implant companies, and hospitals to refer to several procedures and strategies that you should understand carefully.
Many of the so-called minimally invasive procedures are simply variations of existing techniques to implant total knees, except that they are done through smaller incisions. Other techniques are genuine advances that go much beyond just making a smaller skin cut. The ultimate goal is not only to make a shorter skin cut, but also to reduce deep muscle trauma associated with surgery, such that pain is lessened, discharge is expedited, and the need for prolonged physical therapy is reduced.
Partial Knee Replacement and Unispacer Surgery When it comes to minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, you should be aware of two procedures that can be done instead of a complete knee replacement. One is called the unicompartmental (or, partial) knee replacement, and the other is called a “Unispacer”.