Quad Sparing Knee Replacement Surgery

Another name for it is the subvastus approach.

Quad sparing knee replacement surgery. Use of this quadriceps sparing approach can lessen post operative pain and shorten the recovery period. The larger incision gives the surgeon a wide enough view to properly align the implant and bone. To truly spare the quadriceps tendon from any cutting a different variation of minimally invasive surgery called quadriceps sparing knee replacement can be used. Patients who have quad sparing total knee replacement typically have quicker recovery less pain and a smaller incision so the scar isn t as visible.

Minimally invasive quadriceps sparing total knee replacement is a new surgical technique that allows surgeons to insert the same time tested reliable knee replacement implants through a shorter incision using surgical approach that avoids trauma to the quadriceps muscle see figure 1 which is the most important muscle group around the knee. Because the minimally invasive approach to exposing the knee joint involves less disruption to the muscle and the joint itself this procedure leads to. This less invasive procedure involves a. Traditional total knee replacement entails cutting into the quadriceps tendon which connects the large quadriceps muscle group on the front of the thigh to the kneecap.

The surgeon makes a 3 to 4 inch incision in the side of the knee and performs the knee replacement using special instruments guided by computer imaging. Quad sparing total knee replacement quad sparing total knee replacement is a minimally invasive surgery done through a small incision. There is definitely a steep learning curve regarding the use of these instruments and many physicians including myself worry about the accuracy of the bone cuts and limb alignment with these side cutting instruments. This approach requires special side cutting instruments.

Seth leopold performs a quadriceps sparing total knee replacement. The technique requires only a 3 to 4 inch incision. Quad sparing knee replacement surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that does not involve cutting the quadriceps tendon. The same artificial joint used in conventional knee replacements is fit into place.

This surgical approach is not new. This new technique which is sometimes called quadriceps sparing knee replacement uses an incision that is typically only 3 4 in length see figure 2. Minimally invasive knee surgical techniques for knee replacement surgery have been developed and perfected over the last decade. Faster recovery and return to regular activities.

The surgeon then moves the kneecap out of the way to access the arthritic joint. Who s a candidate for quadriceps sparing total knee replacement. When arthritis saps a patient s joy in an active life uw medicine orthopedic surgeon dr.