Minimally invasive total-knee replacement

Purpose of review: There is a great deal of interest in minimally invasive total-knee replacement. Borrowing some of the concepts developed by total-hip surgeons, minimal-incision total-knee surgery has become suddenly popular. Recent findings: An increasing number of publications support the concept that minimal-incision total-knee replacement can be performed safely. 'Minimally invasive surgery', however, involves more than simply a smaller incision: improved pain management, soft-tissue techniques and patient education are also important components of this concept. It is important, however, to avoid compromising the results of a successful total-knee replacement simply to achieve a smaller incision. Summary: Although early reports by several authors show some advantages to the less-invasive approach for total-knee replacement, caution must be exercised. There are no long-term reports supporting this concept and further study must be done to ascertain whether these noted improved outcomes are due to improved patient education, pain management and rehabilitation, or to less-invasive surgical techniques.