MIS TKR – Minimally Invasive Surgery for Total Knee Replacement
For a better postoperative experience that includes reduced pain, a minimal hospital stay and quick recovery, patients are enjoying the benefits of minimally invasive surgery for total knee replacement. (MIS TKR).
With MIS TKR, a very small skin incision is made. The exact site of the location is determined based on a number of individual factors about the patient. This incision does not affect the quadriceps tendon – the large muscle located on the anterior of the thigh. Therefore, there is less soft tissue trauma, and the patient experiences greater recovery benefits.
A very innovative combination of MIS TKR and Computer Navigation allows the surgeon to make the most accurate placement of the knee possible. Dr. Tarlow has been practicing this unique innovation since August of 2004.
Patients are often concerned that they may not be good candidates for MIS TKR. A simple in-office examination and evaluation are all it takes for an experienced MIS TKR surgeon to let you know whether or not this would be the right procedure for you. At times the evaluation and the decision to use this technique are actually made during the course of knee surgery.
Click here for more on Knee Arthroscopy.
Women may to better with MIS TKR than men. For one thing, they tend to have a BMI (body mass index) less than 35. Additionally, they may have greater preoperative flexibility of the knee tissues combined with good ROM (range-of-motion). Furthermore, women tend to have bowed or knocked knees. This mild deformity is actually an advantage to the surgery.
Men, on the other hand, may not be ideal candidates due to their tendency to have more muscle tissue and more stiffness of the knee tissue. This is known as poor soft tissue mobility. Aside from this, men frequently have had knee surgeries in the past. This may result in large knee deformity and poor preoperative ROM (range of motion). To make matters worse, men often have a BMI of greater than 35.
Computer-assisted surgery reduces errors and improves outcomes in hip and knee surgery. When used in an orthopedic application, computer-assisted surgery is very helpful in identifying the surgical anatomy, which helps improve surgical accuracy.
By using computer based tools it becomes easier to reliably repeat procedures in surgery. These tools increase accuracy and improve quality in surgical procedure. Oddly, these tools are not widely accepted in the US. In Germany, computer based tools are used in surgery forty percent of the time. In the US, this is true only three percent of the time. Technology variations, cost, efficacy and surgeon preference may be the cause of this discrepancy.
The coordination of surgeons, government, and industry to develop computer-assisted surgery and imaging standards will help this new technology to become very beneficial to society.
Click here for more on Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix knee doctor.
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