Rapid ambulation and range of motion after minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty.

The authors evaluated the intraoperative data and early clinical results of 22 minimally invasive mini-incision total knee arthroplasties (mini-incision TKAs) performed between October 2002 and September 2003. Results were matched with 22 patients who underwent standard TKA in the same period. At a minimum 12-week follow up, results comparing the mini-incision TKA group and the standard TKA group were evaluated as follows: The average operative time was 137.1 vs 115.8min (p=0.02), the average wound length was 9.4 vs 13.7 cm, the average blood loss was 456 vs 512 ml (p=0.14) and the number of patients who could start to walk on postoperative day one was 17 vs 2. On postoperative day one, 82% of the mini-incision TKA group could do active knee extension meanwhile none of the standard group could. Postoperative pain score was not different at 24 hours or 48 hours. At 2 and6 weeks, the mini-incision TKA group had less pain with significant difference (p=0.002 and p=0.002). The postoperative range of motion in the mini-incision group was also significantly improved at 2 weeks (p=0.03). However, pain and range of motion were not different in both groups after 12 weeks. Early results of mini-incision TKA accelerated patient postoperative activity, ambulation and range of motion.