Minimally Invasive Muscle Sparing Lateral Approach Total Knee Replacement

What is Minimally Invasive Muscle Sparing Lateral Approach Total Knee Replacement?

A total knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged surfaces of the articulating bones with artificial implants to relieve pain and restore function in the knee that is damaged by arthritis or an injury.

Minimally Invasive Muscle Sparing Lateral Approach Total Knee Replacement is a surgical procedure that involves replacing the joint through a small incision made on the lateral side of the knee.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Muscle Sparing Lateral Approach Total Knee Replacement

• Muscle Sparing Approach: As the incision is on the lateral side of the knee, little to no part for the quadriceps muscle is divided.
• Smaller Incision Size: The lateral incision is about 4 inches long, much smaller than the traditional 10 inch incision.
• Avoids Nerve Damage: There is less risk of injury to the superficial saphenous nerve with this surgical approach.
• Superior Kneecap Stability: The location of the incision allows for less disruption of the kneecap tendon resulting in superior movement of the kneecap along its groove in the thighbone.
• Faster Quadriceps Muscle Recovery: As there is no excision or damage to the quadriceps during surgery, recovery of muscle strength is quicker.
• Less Knee Pain with Movement: There is less stretching of the incision site or irritation of nerves while bending and extending the knee resulting in the less pain and discomfort during recovery.
• Ideal for Same-Day Surgery: Patients are encouraged to walk a few hours after the surgery and there is no need for an overnight hospital stay.
• Improved Knee Function- Patients regain range of motion and gait earlier when compared with the traditional knee replacement approach.

Anatomy of the Knee

The lower end of the thighbone, or femur, meets the upper end of the shinbone, or tibia, at the knee joint. A small disk of bone called the patella, commonly known as the kneecap, rests on a groove on the front side of the femoral end. The bones are held together by protective tissues, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Synovial fluid within the joint aids in the smooth movement of the bones over one another. The meniscus, a soft crescent-shaped area of cartilage between the femur and tibia, serves as a cushion and helps absorb shock during motion. The quadriceps muscle is located in front of the thigh. The quadriceps tendon is a thick tissue located at the top of the kneecap. The muscle allows us to straighten our legs.

Indications for Minimally Invasive Muscle Sparing Lateral Approach Total Knee Replacement

Minimally Invasive Muscle Sparing Lateral Approach Total Knee Replacement is commonly indicated for severe osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis in which the joint cartilage gradually wears away. It often affects older people.

In a normal joint, articular cartilage allows for smooth movement within the joint, whereas in an arthritic knee the cartilage itself becomes thinner or completely absent. In addition, the bones become thicker around the edges of the joint and may form bony “spurs.” All of these factors can cause pain and restricted range of motion in the joint.

Your doctor may advise minimally invasive muscle sparing lateral approach total knee replacement if you have:

• Severe knee pain that limits your daily activities (such as walking, getting up from a chair, or climbing stairs).
• Chronic knee inflammation and swelling
• Knee deformity with loss of cartilage and pain
• Injury or fracture of the knee
• Instability of the knee
• Moderate to severe pain that occurs during rest or awakens you at night
• Failure of the non-surgical treatment options such as medications, injections and physical therapy to relieve symptoms

Risks and Complications

Minimally invasive muscle-sparing total knee replacement surgery is a relatively safe procedure; however, as with any surgery, some risks and complications may occur, such as the following:

• Blood clots
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Anesthetic/allergic reactions
• Injury to nerves and blood vessels
• Implant wear and loosening
• Failure to relieve knee pain or stiffness
• The need for revision surgery