How are the marks left by knee replacement surgery with minimally invasive surgery? The knee is the joint in our body that supports most of the weight and as such, is prone to osteoarthritis.
When the pain becomes so severe that it prevents even the simplest movements, the only safe and long-lasting treatment is knee replacement surgery, which, like all surgeries, leaves a scar on our body.
In this article we will discuss:
- what knee replacement is and when surgery is needed;
- the difference between total knee replacement and partial knee replacement;
- the advantages of minimally invasive techniques;
- how visible the scar is after knee replacement surgery.
What is knee replacement surgery and when is needed?
Successfully implanting a knee prosthesis means replacing the worn-out elements of the joint with highly resistant artificial components that ensure durability, solidity and stability over time.
When the joint is beyond repair, conservative therapy attempts become futile and surgery becomes the only option for definitive healing.
Combining a well-performed surgical procedure with excellent rehabilitation and targeted exercises ensures an excellent functional result and the disappearance of pain.
There are two safe surgical treatments offered when the degeneration becomes disabling for the knee:
- total knee replacement;
- partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee replacement.
The difference between total knee replacement and partial knee replacement
The orthopedic surgeon conducts a thorough examination to decide whether to opt for a total knee replacement or a unicompartmental knee replacement.
The choice of implant type is personalized based on your needs according to the type of osteoarthritis, age, activity level and bone quality.
The degeneration of bone and cartilage can be caused by advanced age or secondary causes such as joint injuries from strenuous sports activities, road accidents, obesity or leg axis alterations.
Knee osteoarthritis can be tricompartmental, involving the entire knee, or in 30% of cases involve only one compartment, most frequently the medial one.
A total knee replacement is chosen when the joint damage is extensive, severe and involves all three compartments of the knee joint.
Conversely, when only one of the three compartments is compromised, a unicompartmental knee replacement is used, which is smaller and allows all the healthy portions of your knee to be preserved.
The benefits are multiple:
- shorter intervention, hospitalization, rehabilitation and recovery times;
- the possibility of implanting smaller components in less time;
- smaller incision;
- preservation of healthy bone, muscle and cartilage, sparing healthy anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments;
- reduced pain and swelling;
- less bleeding.
The prosthesis replaces worn-out bone and cartilage, restores proper joint function and reduces or eliminates pain.
To date it is the only solution that gives you an optimal quality of life with minimal risk.
The advantages of the minimally invasive technique
The concept of minimally invasive knee replacement, besides the aesthetic advantage, primarily aims at less surgical trauma, preserving as much of the healthy parts as possible and quick recovery.
Minimally invasive in prosthetic surgery should be understood in a broader sense than just the length of the surgical wound or the number of stitches; a minimally invasive technique preserves healthy tissues, meaning muscles and ligaments.
A minimally invasive technique expresses its full potential only if associated with modern pain therapy and rehabilitation protocols: less pain, less bleeding and rapid recovery.
It should be understood as an overall patient management procedure aimed at ensuring a better patient experience and a quick recovery after surgery.
This new technique emphasizes the patient’s physical and mental well-being.
Before surgery, for greater participation and motivation towards surgery, the minimally invasive approach includes both education and physical preparation for each patient.
This helps to limit the inevitable loss of muscle mass after surgery.
The minimally invasive knee replacement procedure involves the use of modern, more customizable prostheses, sometimes smaller, more resistant and technologically advanced, tailored to your person, based on physical conformity.
They are made with biocompatible advanced materials with zero risk of rejection; their lifespan also increases up to 20-25 years, sometimes even longer.
Compared to traditional surgery, minimally invasive surgery offers numerous advantages.
In particular it reduces:
- intervention, hospitalization, rehabilitation and recovery times thanks to Rapid Recovery;
- the incision;
- skin healing times thanks to the use of glue;
- bleeding during and after the operation;
- trauma;
- post-operative complications;
- healthcare costs.
All these benefits maximize your healing process.
How visible is the scar after knee replacement surgery?
Is the scar after knee replacement surgery visible?
No. Modern suturing techniques guarantee good aesthetic results but most importantly, ensure safe tissue healing.
The aesthetic result also depends on the patient’s characteristics.
Some patients tend to develop more noticeable scars compared to others.
Dr. Vanni Strigelli uses the minimally invasive technique for our knee replacement surgeries with evident benefits also at the aesthetic level.
The scar is less visible due to the reduced incision and even less noticeable due to the surgical wound closure with glue rather than metallic sutures as in the past.
By replacing sutures with glue a resistant, elastic and waterproof film forms, preventing common bacteria from penetrating the skin.
The incision for the procedure is made on the anterior surface of the knee and is longitudinal; its length varies depending on the type of surgery and the size of the limb but approximately 10 cm is necessary.
This way you achieve better and especially faster skin healing.
Contact us to learn more.
