Knee pain can be frustrating at best. At worst, it can significantly disrupt your ability to enjoy life to the fullest. If your knee pain prevents you from doing the things you love, a minimally invasive total knee replacement may be your best treatment option.
Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement Surgery
During minimally invasive total knee replacement surgery with Dr. Botero, a 4-inch incision is made to the inner side of the front of the knee. Through this small incision, Dr. Botero exposes the arthritic bone where cartilage has been lost. This arthritic bone is one of the main causes for the debilitating pain that patients feel. This procedure is done with the knee in extension position, which allows the soft tissues of the knee to be under less tension. Precision handling, coupled with the minimal tension of the soft tissues around the knee, leads to less soft tissue trauma and an overall quicker recovery.
Fitting the Prosthesis
Maneuvering past the soft tissue, Dr. Botero then removes the arthritic bone from the knee using custom instrumentation that allows for the safe removal of bone without the need for cutting tendons or muscle. Precise measurements down to the millimeter determine the perfect-fit prosthesis. A trial reduction to ensure the knee has perfect fit, stability, balance and motion is conducted. Once the trial reduction is deemed perfect, Dr. Botero secures the prosthesis to the ends of the bone using bone cement. A polyethylene liner is then secured onto the prosthesis that has been cemented on top of the shin bone. This liner is what acts as the new “cushion” allowing the knee to function smoothly. A polyethylene liner is also cemented to the back of the knee cap.
With the final prosthesis in place, Dr. Botero washes the knee joint with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection. As a last step in the procedure Dr. Botero injects a solution into multiple locations inside the knee helping to reduce postoperative pain and swelling.
After the Total Knee Replacement Procedure
Average surgical time takes just over an hour. After surgery, our patients recover first in a recovery room and then a hospital room at the joint replacement center (a specialized wing of the hospital dedicated solely to hip and knee replacement patients). Within a few hours of surgery, the patient is walking down the hallway, goes up and down a flight of stairs, and goes in and out of a car simulator. The majority of Dr. Botero’s patients are cleared to go home the same day or the very next morning after surgery.
Dr. Botero performs minimally invasive total knee replacement surgery at the outpatient surgery center that allows for a more personalized episode of care for the patient. Patients have their surgery and go home the same day, completely avoiding the need for a hospital visit or overnight stay, unlike traditional surgery where patients can stay 5 days or longer in the hospital.
A Better Alternative to Traditional Knee Replacement
Traditional total knee replacement is typically done through an 8 to 12-inch incision over the center of the knee and involves cutting tendon and muscle in order for the surgeon to dislocate the knee and place the prosthesis. A significant amount of soft tissue trauma is involved in order to accomplish traditional total knee replacement.
Dr. Herman Botero’s minimally invasive total knee joint replacement allows the patient to recover in their own home. This relaxed environment ultimately aids in a quicker recovery and streamlined care.
Are You a Good Candidate?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, a minimally invasive knee replacement may be a good option for you:
- Chronic knee pain
- Difficulty walking or climbing stairsa
- Inability to exercise
- Knee arthritis
- Decreased quality of life as a result of your pain
These symptoms can arise from an acute injury to the knee, or as a result of wear and tear on the knee joint over time. Whatever the cause, it’s important to get your symptoms examined by an orthopaedic physician who specializes in knee pain.
Knee Replacement Surgery in Knoxville, TN
Dr. Botero and his team cater to each and every one of their patient’s needs. We give our patients a direct care line to call and are always prompt with any requests or concerns. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of minimally invasive knee replacement surgery, or to see if you are a good candidate, contact Dr. Botero today to set up an appointment – 865-558-4444.
