Minimally invasive knee replacement

I suspect he is not the only orthopedic surgeon that uses similar processes although his tools may be unique, I don’t know.
I had a TKR on my right knee in June 2015 and a TKR on my left in Sept 2015. I stayed one night in the hospital both times. I could have gone home that same day.
I was back to work the next day; grocery shopping two days later; hosting a business meeting three days later.
In Jan 2021, I had a total left hip
replacement. I needed no pain pills. The surgery was outatient. I had to
Walk c number of yards and go up and down stairs before being released. No problem. I threw away my walker three days later. By tbe end of the week I could walk a mile with my husband to
His clinic appointments and walk back to our hotel. (Walking was inside.) i was 78 yrs old at the timr.
The point of this diatribe is that superior surgeons have advanced the science and art of knee and hip replacement surgery to make it easier for patients and also more cost effective.
I don’t think that any patient that carefully chooses his/her surgeon spends days in the hospital any more or experiences the scenario that is described in the beginning of the referenced article. The move is toward outpatient surgery and quick painlesx recoveries.

You were so fortunate! I had a right knee replacement in Boston by a top surgeon and my knee has never been the same. Also had a very tough recouperation! Will *never* get my left knee done! I will just live with the pain. It is always so nice to hear of success stories regarding knee and hip replacements!!! Good for you!

I am so sorry about your experience. The thought that you are resigned to live in pain is so sad.
I spent a long time in horrible pain before getting that first knee replacement. When I could no longer walk 50 feet without screaming, I decided to do it
I had spent the previous six years researching physicians; watching videos of the procedure; doing exercises. I was “scared” - partly because I knew all that could go wrong but also because a physician friend had a bad surgical experience - which he detailed for me in writing.
Maybe because I expected the worst, I was pleasantly surprised!?!?
In 2016 I was scheduled for a shoulder replacement. I cancelled. My “gut” did not like the “top notch” surgeon to whom I had been referred. So I put it off until last summer when the PA for my hip followup appointment referred me to the surgeon I chose. I had delayed way too long so a regular shoulder replacement was not possible. I had a reverse shoulder replacement.
That surgery also went well. I walked to the hospital and back to the hotel. It was outpatient. I needed no pain pills for this surgery either.
I wish I had done it earlier. My quality of life is so much better with two functioning arms and shoulders.

I don't trust this ad. The ad states that with a typical joint replacement, the hospital stay is 4 or 5 days. That's ridiculous. Most TKRs are done outpatient, with the patient going home the same day. And THRs are less traumatic than a TKR.

If the surgeon is willing to let this lie pass, what else is the Dr. lying about?

Too good to be true? Seems that way. I'd stay away.

Well said. Joint replacements are, for most patients who follow instructions on exercises, routine. Is there pain? Well of course but it's manageable and does not last long.

Good for you at 78 to take this on and do so well. Excellent work (by you and your Dr!).

Mab, so sorry for what happened. Can you elaborate? I know things can go wrong even with good Drs. I understand why you would be reluctant to have the other knee replaced. But one bad outcome doesn't guarantee two. Please let us know what happened, and all the best to you.

Thank you for your encouragement. My TKR was done in Sept of 2020. I had a top Boston surgeon, and the surgery itself went fine, but once I was home, the pills for pain just didn’t even “touch” the pain!!! He did change the pain prescription three different times, but each time, I had a reaction (a rash, nausea etc) and none of them helped me. So, I could only take Extra Strength Tylenol. I was in *terrible* pain for several weeks and because of such intense pain, I couldn’t eat and became depressed (which had never happened to me in my life!!!). I was in rough shape!!! I had a hard time doing the in-home PT because of the pain. My poor husband was trying to help me as much as he could! I couldn’t sleep and kept going from a bed to a recliner all night long. I will credit my surgeon for having me fill out a form on allergies to nickel and the bone cement that they use. My nickel testing came out very high……bone cement was fine. So, my replacement had no nickel in it. I have read some stories on this site where people had to have the knee replacement done all over again because of an allergy to nickel. How awful for those people! I am 74 and other than my left knee (and back!) being a problem at times, I am just going to “live with it”, using OTC medications and salves, along with a knee brace when necessary and a cortisone shot every three or four months. Physically and emotionally, I just can never put myself through it ever again! All the best to you!

Thanks. It would be unfortunate if a “salesy” video derailed the discussion of the minimally invasive concept. It’s performed at many credible institutions, including Johns Hopkins, for example. Cleveland Clinic discourages its use, but one doc with whom I spoke said it’s becoming the standard of care. So it’s an open discussion among the experts. I have no opinion but would love to hear from anyone with personal experience, especially how the trade-offs between traditional and minimally invasive we’re weighed.

I had my minimal invasive TKR at Rush orthopedic in Chicago in late 2019 at the age of 64. Although my surgeon does not accept Medicare , there are several that do at Rush. It was suggested that I stay overnight due to sleep apnea and I experienced no issues at all , taking a full set of stairs the following day prior to my release . I used a walker in the middle of the night only to use the bathroom since I was on pain meds but never required it during the day , or even a cane to walk . Unfortunately several states do not have doctors trained in this surgery . My sister that resides in Kansas MO, flew to Chicago and stayed with me for the first 2 weeks of occupational therapy and completed the final 6 weeks of PT at home . She was the age of 73 at the time and came home the day of surgery . We both have had life changing results in our ability to walk without pain . I have been able to travel and walk for several miles and hours a day without pain.
Just a note that I was originally scheduled for TKR with my orthopaedic doctor that I used for several years and was very happy with . However, after seeing a close friend go through a TKR and her scar that ran from her mid thigh to almost her calf , I immediately cancelled my own surgery . It was only through a stroke of luck at the Salon that I heard of Dr. Berger and Rush. I scheduled a consultation right away and he and his team of nurses were exemplary . They were available 24/7 to answer any questions after surgery. His team provides a myriad of choices for after care if arriving from out of state as well. I highly encourage anyone considering a TRK to educate themselves on this procedure . I am forever grateful for the referral given to me that I could research and receive an exceptional result . My six inch scar is not even noticed unless looking very closely .

My TKR surgeries within the last 5 years were not touted as minimally invasive, and the now barely noticeable hairline scars are only 5" long on the right and 5 1/2" on the left. The left needed a little more work to straighten the leg which had become very pigeon toed to compensate for the pain of more cartilage missing on one side of the knee. I had an overnight stay in the hospital on the day of the surgery, and was released by noon the next day. The video cited at the top of this thread mentions 3" - 5" incisions, 3" seems rather optimistic to allow decent access to all the cutting instruments and parts needed for the procedure. The TKR scars I've seen on some of my relatives are probably around 6'' as well, just a barely seen thin white line when healed. Maybe scars from 20-30 years ago were larger.