Minimally Invasive Total Knee or Hip Replacement
Total replacement of the knee or hip joint is becoming an increasingly common surgical procedure. Joints wear out for a variety of reasons, including arthritis, injury, and simple wear-and-tear. When non-surgical treatments such as therapy and medications fail to relieve pain and provide adequate mobility, a doctor may recommend surgically replacing the joint with an artificial one.
Some knee or hip replacement patients may be candidates for minimally invasive surgery, which can require much smaller incisions, less damage to the surrounding muscles and tendons, and quicker rehabilitation. With less-invasive procedures, the hospital stay may be as short as 1 or 2 days. Some patients can go home the day of surgery.
Minimally invasive techniques are developing rapidly, though research is still underway to determine how effective they are long-term. Not every patient will be a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, and your doctor can tell you more about the risks and benefits of this approach.
For more information, download our knee or hip replacement brochures, or visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons web site about minimally invasive knee replacement and hip replacements