Quad sparing total knee replacement quad sparing total knee replacement is a minimally invasive surgery done through a small incision.
Quad sparing knee replacement surgery.
Quad sparing knee replacement surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that does not involve cutting the quadriceps tendon.
To truly spare the quadriceps tendon from any cutting a different variation of minimally invasive surgery called quadriceps sparing knee replacement can be used.
There is definitely a steep learning curve regarding the use of these instruments and many physicians including myself worry about the accuracy of the bone cuts and limb alignment with these side cutting instruments.
A quadriceps sparing knee replacement is often called minimally invasive because the orthopedic surgeon makes smaller incisions in the muscles that support the knee.
Traditional total knee replacement entails cutting into the quadriceps tendon which connects the large quadriceps muscle group on the front of the thigh to the kneecap.
The surgeon then moves the kneecap out of the way to access the arthritic joint.
This approach requires special side cutting instruments.
The quad sparing approach cuts just the inside of the knee cap.
Benefits of quadriceps sparing total knee replacement surgery.
This surgical approach is not new.
Because the minimally invasive approach to exposing the knee joint involves less disruption to the muscle and the joint itself this procedure leads to.
The surgeon makes a 3 to 4 inch incision in the side of the knee and performs the knee replacement using special instruments guided by computer imaging.
Minimally invasive quadriceps sparing total knee replacement is a new surgical technique that allows surgeons to insert the same time tested reliable knee replacement implants through a shorter incision using surgical approach that avoids trauma to the quadriceps muscle see figure 1 which is the most important muscle group around the knee.
Another name for it is the subvastus approach.
The same artificial joint used in conventional knee replacements is fit into place.
When arthritis saps a patient s joy in an active life uw medicine orthopedic surgeon dr.
Who s a candidate for quadriceps sparing total knee replacement.
This less invasive procedure involves a.
Faster recovery and return to regular activities.
Minimally invasive knee surgical techniques for knee replacement surgery have been developed and perfected over the last decade.
Use of this quadriceps sparing approach can lessen post operative pain and shorten the recovery period.
Patients who have quad sparing total knee replacement typically have quicker recovery less pain and a smaller incision so the scar isn t as visible.
The technique requires only a 3 to 4 inch incision.
