In traditional knee replacement, an approximately 10 to 12 inch skin incision is made centered over the knee. This is followed by making an incision into the quadriceps tendon above the knee, down the side of the kneecap and two inches below the joint and then the kneecap is flipped 180 degrees and off to the side (everted). The knee is then bent up to expose the bones of the knee for resurfacing with the knee prosthesis.

The difference is in the size of the skin incision and, more importantly, how much muscle and tissue is cut to put the total joint components in. Cutting less muscle results in less pain, less swelling and potentially a quicker recovery. No, the same components are used in MIS hip replacement surgery that are used in traditional surgery. They are just put in through smaller incisions in the skin and muscle using specialized instruments.

MIS or Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement is like standard knee replacement except that the incision is smaller, and care is taken not to resect the quadriceps muscle (also known as "quad sparing"). Also, the patella is not "everted" or "flipped" over This is all intended to result in less trauma and speed recovery. More on Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement.

This is a new procedure, and there isn't a lot of peer-reviewed scientific literature yet comparing results of minimally invasive hip replacements with traditional hip replacements. The existing scientific literature is mixed on whether minimally invasive hip surgery offers significant long-term benefit over traditional hip surgery.

Yes, all insurances, including Medicare, pay for MIS total hip surgery. There is no difference in the surgical code used to bill for the MIS total hip surgery. It is the same as for a traditional hip replacement.

Patients, with a few exceptions, are able to start putting full weight on the operative side the same day as surgery. Typically, patients are walking 100-200 feet by the second day after surgery. A walker or crutches are recommended until patients feel confident enough and are stable enough to go to a cane - typically at one to two weeks after surgery. Many of the younger or more fit patients are walking up to a mile without a cane or crutch by six weeks after surgery.

This will depend on your age and level of fitness prior to the surgery. If you have a spouse at home that can help with meals and household activities, it may be possible to go home as early as two or three days after surgery. If patients are older and live alone, a short stay in the Transitional Care Facility, a step-down hospital, may be appropriate for a period of seven to ten days prior to going home.

This surgery is not truly "minimally" invasive, but, more accurately, "less" invasive. There is a smaller incision and less muscle work involved.

For up to 20% of the patient population suffering from knee arthritis, minimally invasive partial knee replacement is a viable option. When only one compartment of your knee is damaged and your orthopaedic surgeon has determined that you have adequate ligament stability, the surgeon may choose to replace only the diseased portion of your knee.

Most patients can resume normal activities following partial knee replacement once they have regained adequate strength and flexibility and their orthopaedic surgeon has released them to begin normal activities. However, any activity that results in repetitive joint trauma, such as running, jumping or twisting, should be avoided. After recovering from partial knee replacement surgery, many patients have returned to activities such as swimming, golf, doubles tennis and gardening.

It is a new procedure involving smaller incisions that are approximately 3-4 inches, versus the traditional method that requires a 12 inch incision.

Minimally invasive knee replacement is really a cartilage replacement with an artificial surface. The knee itself is not replaced, only the damaged tissue on the ends of the bones. The replacement implants include a metal alloy on the end of the thighbone and polyethylene (plastic) on the shinbone and kneecap. The implants create a new smoothly functioning joint designed to prevent painful bone-on-bone contact.

is made up of 3 compartments, the patellofemoral and medial and lateral compartments between the femur and tibia (i.e. the long bones of the leg). Often only one of these compartments wears out, usually the medial one. If you have symptoms and X-ray findings suggestive of this then you may be suitable for this procedure.

Since the small incisions used in minimally invasive procedures do not cut across large tissue areas, scarring tends to be significantly reduced. Patients who are appropriate candidates for a minimally invasive procedure usually stay in the hospital from one to three days, instead of the five to seven days required for open surgery. In many cases, recovery time can be as little as one to two weeks, as compared with four to six weeks for open surgery.

No, depending on the condition of the bones, severity of injury and size of the patient, not everyone is a candidate for this procedure. It is important to make sure the patient has the best chance for recovery, therefore employ the correct method for their situation. Patients must focus on all aspects to ensure you get the best outcome from a combination of the right implant and tools, minimal tissue trauma, proper pain management and possibly accelerated rehabilitation.

This operation can be done by a minimally invasive approach and the invasion can be kept to less than 10cms. The operation also involves minimal damage to bone.

It is a metal and plastic covering for raw, arthritic bone ends. It replaces cartilage that has worn away over the years. Knee replacement can eliminate pain and allow you to move easily with less discomfort. For those that have become bow-legged or knock-kneed over the years, it can also straighten your legs to a more natural position.