Minimally invasive total knee replacement: principles and technique.

Recent attention toward minimally invasive approaches to joint replacement has resulted in new MIS TKA techniques for the implant of conventional TKA implant components. These proposed techniques must be evaluated thoroughly and changes approached with caution. Medial and lateral techniques that minimize interruption and dissection of neuro-vascular tissues, muscles, tendons, and ligament shave been described. Patients who have undergone these procedures have benefited short term from quicker recovery time and less pain and have benefited long term from the use of conventional prosthesis. Before MIS can become an accepted surgical technique for TKA, a clear understanding of the unique guiding principles behind MIS TKA must be understood and realized. Once these basic principles are followed and the surgeon is familiar with MIS TKA techniques, this technique should prove to be a substantial step forward in the continuum of TKA procedure development.