Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty

Won, Ye Yeon

Abstract

Although the long-term results have been excellent for patients who undergo standard total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the recovery from TKA is often long and painful for patients, and so minimally invasive TKA (MIS-TKA) has been developed. Despite the early promising results from short-term follow-up, minimally invasive TKA (MIS-TKA) has aroused both interest and doubt. It has been accepted that MIS-TKA provides faster recovery times, less pain and improved cosmesis, but opponents cite the reduced visualization that might cause poorer component placement, which could compromise the long term survivorship of the implant. Navigation has recently been introduced into MIS-TKA and relatively improved results were observed. There is presently a general consensus that data is needed from well designed prospective randomized studies on this subject.