The Advantages of Minimally Invasive Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery
When you are considering hip or knee replacement surgery, you have the choice between traditional open surgery or minimally invasive surgery (MIS). There are a number of benefits to choosing MIS.
Smaller Incisions
An MIS procedure has a smaller incision than traditional surgery. There is less cutting through tissue which means less trauma to ligaments and muscles. There is less scarring with smaller incisions which ultimately means a faster recovery. With traditional surgery, the incision is typically several inches long, but with minimally invasive, it’s just a few inches. With MIS, there is a reduced risk of infection.
Less Pain
There is less cutting with an MIS, meaning there is less body trauma. As a result, many patients typically have less pain and discomfort after surgery. When there is less pain and trauma, it often means that you are less reliant on pain medication. You are also able to recover faster. During traditional surgeries, there are larger incisions, more tissue damage, and longer time to heal.
Less Time in the Hospital
When you opt for an MIS procedure, you typically spend less time in the hospital than if you choose to have traditional surgery. When you’re able to recover faster due to less pain and smaller incisions, that also means you’re able to get out of the hospital sooner. This is due to the need for less recovery time because of less trauma to the hips or knees. There are some instances where the patient is able to go home the same day as their surgery. This also means that you are able to return to normal activities much faster, along with a lower risk of hospital-acquired infections.
Return to Activities
Another benefit to MIS procedures is that they typically allow patients to return to their normal activities more quickly than with traditional surgeries. For example, when you have minimally invasive hip or knee replacement surgery, you should have a shorter recovery time. Again, this allows you to return to normal activities more quickly than those who have traditional surgeries.
Normal activities may include exercising, walking, and driving. Even if you have less pain and a shorter recovery time, it’s critical that you follow your surgeon’s instructions for your post-operative care. When you have MIS, you should be able to resume your normal activities within a few weeks of the surgery.
Fewer Complications
A minimally invasive knee or hip surgery means that you have less cutting, trauma, and risk of complications. These types of surgeries have less risk of blood loss, infections, and damage to the surrounding tires. You should expect that any type of surgery is going to have some amount of risk for complications. The more minimally invasive the procedure means the less risk of complications than with traditional surgery. These types of procedures involve less cutting and tissue damage, which can reduce the risk of bleeding, infection, and other complications.
Final Thoughts
When you are considering a minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgery, it’s critical to understand that it may not be appropriate for everyone. Your surgeon is the best one to evaluate your individual situation and determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. While there are many benefits to minimally invasive surgery, you should keep in mind that there are some trade-offs. For example, you may find that surgical times are longer or that there is a slightly higher risk of certain complications. You should be sure to discuss these risks and benefits with your surgeon to ensure you are making an informed decision about your treatment options.
