Knee Replacement Surgery: The Minimally Invasive Option
Recently, minimally invasive knee replacement has made a mark in the world of orthopedic surgery. This technique is a tremendous advance in performing total knee replacement surgery. It is also a far more challenging surgery.
Because smaller incisions are used than in traditional knee replacement surgery, the joint is exposed far less. This translates into less pain and trauma. A patient who has a successful minimally invasive knee surgery procedure can expect to be hospitalized a very short time and have a quick and easy recovery period.
This surgery is recommended for the patient who is of an average weight and activity level. The patient should have fairly good ROM (range of motion) and be relatively free of knee deformity. A patient who meets all of these criteria and has a successful procedure will be hospitalized for 3 days or less and will have little or no inpatient rehabilitation process.
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 surgery .
Time At The Hospital
You will stay at the hospital for a short time after your surgery. During this time, you will be given medications to handle any pain you may be experiencing.
Arrange pain management in advance of your surgery. It is an important aspect of your recovery plan. Also, realize that exercise and movement are a very important part of your recovery. These will begin almost immediately after your surgical procedure.
After any surgery, it is important to keep your lungs clear. Breathe deeply and cough from time to time to avoid 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.
A machine called CPM or continuous passive motion exercise machine may be used. This machine helps reduce the possibility of blood clots and improve flexibility of the knee by keeping it in continuous, gentle motion while keeping it elevated. - 17274
Because smaller incisions are used than in traditional knee replacement surgery, the joint is exposed far less. This translates into less pain and trauma. A patient who has a successful minimally invasive knee surgery procedure can expect to be hospitalized a very short time and have a quick and easy recovery period.
This surgery is recommended for the patient who is of an average weight and activity level. The patient should have fairly good ROM (range of motion) and be relatively free of knee deformity. A patient who meets all of these criteria and has a successful procedure will be hospitalized for 3 days or less and will have little or no inpatient rehabilitation process.
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 surgery .
Time At The Hospital
You will stay at the hospital for a short time after your surgery. During this time, you will be given medications to handle any pain you may be experiencing.
Arrange pain management in advance of your surgery. It is an important aspect of your recovery plan. Also, realize that exercise and movement are a very important part of your recovery. These will begin almost immediately after your surgical procedure.
After any surgery, it is important to keep your lungs clear. Breathe deeply and cough from time to time to avoid 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.
A machine called CPM or continuous passive motion exercise machine may be used. This machine helps reduce the possibility of blood clots and improve flexibility of the knee by keeping it in continuous, gentle motion while keeping it elevated. - 17274
About the Author:
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, orthopedic procedures and complete knee replacement.
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