Clinical Experience Using a Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Early Results of a Prospective Randomized Study Compared to a Standard Approach

Kolisek, Frank R.; Bonutti, Peter M.; Hozack, William J.; Purtill, James; Sharkey, Peter F.; Zelicof, Steven B.; Ragland, Phillip S.; Kester, Mark; Mont, Michael A.; Rothman, Richard H.

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2006.06.004

« Previous Next »The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 22, Issue 1 , Pages 8-13, January 2007

Clinical Experience Using a Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach for Total Knee Arthroplasty:

Early Results of a Prospective Randomized Study Compared to a Standard Approach

Frank R. Kolisek, MD
- OrthoIndy, Indiania Orthopaedic Surgery Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
Peter M. Bonutti, MD
- Bonutti Clinic, Effingham, Illinois
William J. Hozack, MD
- Rothman Institute at Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
James Purtill, MD
- Rothman Institute at Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Peter F. Sharkey, MD
- Rothman Institute at Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Steven B. Zelicof, MD
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York Medical College, St. Agnes Medical Services Building, White Plains, New York
Phillip S. Ragland, MD
- Center for Joint Preservation and Reconstruction, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopaedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
Mark Kester, PhD
- Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, New Jersey
Michael A. Mont, MD
- Center for Joint Preservation and Reconstruction, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopaedics, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
- Reprint requests: Michael A. Mont, MD, Center for Joint Preservation and Reconstruction, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215.
Richard H. Rothman, MD
- Rothman Institute at Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Received 25 July 2005; accepted 8 June 2006.

Abstract

There has been recent attention concerning minimally invasive techniques for knee arthroplasty. It is not clear whether these complicated techniques can be reproduced across multiple centers and for all surgeons. This prospective, randomized, multicenter study was carried out to assess safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty. The study consisted of 80 knees. There were no differences in blood loss, operative time for completion of surgery, infection, and ultimate wound healing. There were 4 knees with delayed wound healing in the minimally invasive surgical technique group versus 1 in the standard group, which did not affect outcome. Early clinical and radiographic results were also indistinguishable. At 12 weeks follow-up, there was no difference in mean Knee Society objective and functional scores. In summary, in this study, minimal incision total knee arthroplasty demonstrated no improvement over a standard approach.

Key words: total knee arthroplasty, minimally invasive, small incision, prospective study