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Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery

Now at Aurora Medical Center in Oshkosh

Knee implants have been used to treat joint disease since the late 1960s and knee replacement surgery boasts one of the highest success rates of any type of surgery. Recent advancements in both the implants and new surgical techniques have improved recovery times and shortened the rehabilitation process, making the procedure more attractive to more patients.

For example, minimally invasive surgery is great news for “Baby Boomers” who began turning 60 this year and may be facing the prospect of knee replacement surgery after decades of wear and tear on their joints.

Health care consumers in the Oshkosh area are fortunate to have access to the latest orthopedic surgical techniques and technology, close to home. Orthopedic surgeons at Aurora Medical Center use the new, minimally invasive surgical technique when doing total knee replacement surgery.

With this new procedure, surgeons access the knee from an off-center position slightly to one side, rather than the front, which avoids cutting the thigh. The opening is significantly smaller than the size of the opening used with traditional knee replacement.

This new procedure offers the potential for:

Reduced blood loss during surgery
Reduced hospital stay
Improved patient range of motion
Faster recovery

How minimally invasive surgery is different

With the traditional surgical approach, a large incision is made down the front of the knee, affecting the quadriceps tissues of the thigh. This impacts recovery time because the quadriceps muscles and tendons are crucial to almost all knee movement. Scars that form while the thigh tissues heal can cause pain, swelling and stiffness, and many contribute to complications.

Unlike other minimally invasive procedures that resurface only part of the knee, this technique resurfaces the entire knee. This is an important advancement, because it offers the benefits of this type of mini-incision surgery to a larger segment of people who require total joint replacement.

Although this new surgical approach offers many benefits, the technique is not for everyone. Patients may be excluded who are overweight, or are highly muscular in the thigh area, or those who have previously had major knee surgery or certain medical complications.

Latest treatments in Oshkosh

Aurora Medical Center is pleased to offer patients the latest surgical and non-surgical treatments for joint-related conditions, including the full spectrum of surgical knee replacement — from initial diagnosis and treatment to surgery and rehabilitation.

Aurora Medical Center is a preferred choice for knee replacement surgery since its orthopedic surgeons see surgical patients both before and after surgery, to personally answer their questions and provide information. The Depuy knee joints used at the medical center are considered top-of-the-line in the industry, featuring the latest technology and greater wear-reduction properties. The most appropriate implant is selected after considering the patient's age, health and the condition of his or her knee.

So, if constant knee pain is hampering your quality of life, reducing your independence or making it impossible to do everyday activities, please call 920-303-8700 to make an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons.

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