Hip and knee replacement surgeries are performed when there is severe damage to the bones of the joints. These are also known as knee arthroplasty and hip arthroplasty respectively. The damage can occur due to injury, trauma, or arthritis that deteriorates the bones and cartilage that make up a joint. Patients who suffer from a bone tumor in the joint also need to undergo its surgical removal. Depending upon the severity of the damage, the orthopedic surgeon suggests whether the patient needs partial or total hip/knee replacement.

Minimally invasive surgery is an advanced procedure that requires only minimal access to the body to provide safe and desired results. Most orthopedic surgeons prefer minimally invasive surgeries for hip and knee replacement as these are the least complex and enable the patient to recover faster. It is also noteworthy that both the procedures are not performed simultaneously and require a gap of certain weeks or months. For patients who need to undergo both knee and hip replacement, the proper gap is necessary between the two surgeries to enable proper and complete healing without any major health risk.

Furthermore, doctors also suggest that minimally invasive procedures are safe for all patients, including the high-risk ones. However, some exceptions may be there. Hence, surgeons run thorough diagnostic and screening tests before conducting any surgery on the patient.

Who is a high-risk patient?

There are several factors that make an individual a high-risk patient for surgery. Old age, diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other major illnesses are among the common factors that can make you a high-risk patient for surgery.

Minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgeries are safe for most high-risk patients

ThisThe minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) are usually safe and successful, in the case of a high-risk patient, extra care is necessary. Like any other surgery, MIS also has certain pros and cons that you should consider whether you are a risk patient or not.

Pros of minimally invasive surgery for knee and hip replacement

Following are the benefits of choosing minimally invasive surgery for your knee and/or hip replacement surgery over open surgery.

• The minor incisions carried out during the surgery heal faster and there is no scar left after complete recovery.
• The hospital stay is short- mostly performed as a daycare procedure where the patient can get back home within 4-6 hours following the surgery.
• Takes less time to complete as compared to open surgery and only a few hours of observation.
• Cost-effective treatment as the recovery period is shorter and requires less follow-up consultations.

Let us further explain the benefits of MIS with the help of a relevant study to make the information all the more credible for you.

According to a study of NCBI, minimally invasive total hip replacement reduced the production of muscle marker enzymes that reflect tissue damage. In addition, it also lowered the inflammation around the joint during the initial days of recovery from surgery. Also, in comparison to open surgery for total hip replacement, minimally invasive procedures exhibit clinically effective results like lesser pain, minimal blood loss, easier rehabilitating the body after the surgery, and satisfactory cosmetic or aesthetic outcome after recovery.

Source- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4143514/

Cons of minimally invasive knee and hip replacement surgery

Only a trained and experienced surgeon should perform the MIS for knee and hip replacement, otherwise, the following problems can occur:

• The limited view of the inside of the joint enabled by the arthroscope can be challenging and may make it difficult for the surgeon to replace the damaged parts.
• There are minor chances that the knee or hip components may not be aligned properly
• If the surgery is not performed properly, soft tissues and the skin can be torn

Also, doctors do not advise minimally invasive surgery if the patient has any chances of side effects from general anesthesia. Such cases are very few, but, still, it is best that you get proper screening tests and discuss your medical history in detail with the surgeon before undergoing surgery.

So, by now, you must have understood that minimally invasive surgery for hip and knee replacement offers more pros than cons. Also, most of the cons can be dodged by choosing an experienced orthopedic surgeon with a clear track record in successful surgeries.

Nowadays, there are numerous healthcare providers that provide joint surgeries. But choosing the right one for your treatment can be tricky and thus you should do your own research first.

One of the trustworthy healthcare providers for minimally invasive knee and hip replacement surgery is Pristyn Care. Their orthopedic surgeons have more than 10 years of experience and have conducted several joint surgeries with very high success rates. You can easily book your appointment via call or by filling the appointment form available on the website.

Take Away

Knee or hip replacement surgery should not be delayed for too long. It is important that you undergo the treatment in time but also don't rush into the surgery. Currently, the advanced and less complex technique called minimally invasive knee/hip replacement is easily available in many cities across. It is safe and effective for even many high-risk patients. However, experts recommend that patients with any critical or major medical condition should remain transparent about their medical history with the doctor. In some cases, where minimally invasive surgery may not be beneficial, the patient may have to undergo traditional open surgery for knee or ipe replacement.