INNOVATIONS IN TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
Knee replacement is a surgical procedure that decreases pain and improves the quality of life in many patients with severe knee arthritis. Typically patients undergo this surgery after, non-operative treatments (such as activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications or knee joint injections) have failed to provide relief of arthritic symptoms. There have been many advances in techniques, implant design, and manufacturing over the past 20 years. One of the current trends is the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques. Traditionally knee replacements were performed through 8- I 0-inch incisions. Currently, they can be safely performed using incisions 4-5 inches in length. The ability to perform the same operation through a smaller incision requires the use of modified instruments and some experience on the
Traditional total knee replacement
Traditional total knee replacement involves a roughly 8” incision over the knee and a hospital stay of 3-5 days. The recovery period (during which the patient walks with a walker or cane) typically P lasts from one to three months. The large majority of patients report substantial or complete relief of their arthritic symptoms once they have recovered from a total knee replacement.
Minimally-invasive quadriceps-sparing total knee replacement
Minimally-invasive quadriceps-sparing total knee replacement is a new surgical technique that allows surgeons to insert the same time-tested reliable knee replacement implants through a shorter incision (4"-S" in length) using a surgical approach that avoids trauma to the quadriceps muscle (see figure). Quadriceps is the most important muscle group around the knee and this new technique is also called quadriceps-sparing knee replacement.
The main potential benefits of this new technique include:
- More rapid return of knee function. Patients who go this procedure seem to get muscle strength and control back more quickly than patients who have had the traditional total knee replacement, often permitting patients to walk a cane within a couple of weeks of surgery or even earlier.
- Smaller incision. While this procedure would not be worth performing for cosmetic benefits many patients do prefer the shorter incision.
- Decreased postoperative pain. This may be a function of the smaller incision and the fact that the incision stays out of the important quadriceps muscle/tendon group.
- Same reliable surgical implants as Traditional Knee Replacement. Minimally-invasive quadriceps-sparing total knee replacement is an evolution of surgical technique which permits the use of same
Dr. Biren Nadkarni is one of the best knee replacement surgeons in Delhi. Dr. Biren Nadkarni has been trained as an orthopedic surgeon. He has 15 years of surgical orthopedic specialization, arthroscopies knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle and joint replacements.
