The Facts About Minimally Invasive Knee Surgery
For a procedure that provides reduced trauma and pain, shorter hospital stay, and brief rehabilitation, minimally invasive knee surgery is the latest and best option. This method, while quite challenging as a surgical procedure, is a tremendous advance in the field of orthopedic surgery.
Minimally invasive knee surgery reduces trauma by using smaller incisions that expose the joint less. In fact, the incision used in this type of surgery are 50% smaller than those used in traditional total knee replacement surgery. Because of this, the recipient of minimally invasive knee surgery can expect reduced pain, a brief hospital stay, and a speedy rehabilitation period.
Minimally invasive knee surgery is not for every patient. To be a good candidate, you must be non-obese, have fair ROM (range of motion) in your knee, and not have much knee deformity. If you fit this description, you may very well be able to take advantage of this advanced procedure that can provide you with a hospital stay of one to three days and a very minimal period of rehabilitation.
It is important to note that, while these findings are generally accepted, they are not universal. Some studies show that pain, hospital stay, and rehabilitation period are similar or the same as those a patient given traditional knee replacement surgery would experience.
Additionally, the risks of this method of surgery have not truly been documented; however, there is no reason to believe that they are substantially different from those associated with any knee surgery. This is a topic you will want to discuss with your orthopedic surgeon.
Click here for more on minimally invasive knee replacement .
Time At The Hospital
After your surgery, you will probably have a brief stay in the hospital. You may be experiencing a bit of pain after surgery, but you will be given medications to manage it.
Be sure to discuss your medication regimen with your orthopedic surgeon in advance of your surgery. You do not want any surprises. This is a very important part of your recovery, so it should go smoothly. Also, be prepared to begin moving your knee right away after surgery. This is also quite important to your overall recovery.
Any surgery compromises the lungs. Be sure to keep them clear with deep breathing exercises and frequent coughing, thereby avoiding lung congestion.
Blood clotting sometimes causes problems after knee surgery. To keep the veins in your legs free of clots, your orthopedic surgeon may prescribe blood thinning medications, compressive stockings, compression boots, and/or elevation.
CPM: Continuous Passive Motion may also be recommended. You will receive this therapy from an exercise machine that will keep your leg elevated and in constant, gentle movement while you are at rest. This will reduce the risk of blood clots and increase the flexibility of your knee.
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, arthroscopic surgeon and torn ACL surgery.