Jacksonville residents now have a minimally invasive alternative to total knee replacement or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (JOI) is one of the first group of orthopaedic surgeons nationwide to be trained in the Zimmer Minimally Invasive Solutions (MIS) Quad-Sparing TKA procedure.

Using modified techniques and instruments, the surgeon can place the same, clinically proven implants used in traditional surgery, but through a much smaller incision and without cutting through key tendons and muscles. In traditional surgery, the surgeon makes a 12-inch incision down the front of the knee and the tendon and quadriceps muscle - which control the bending of the knee - are cut. In MIS Quad-Sparing TKA, a 3- to 5-inch incision is made on the side of the knee, and the tendon and "quad" muscle are separated, rather than cut.

The potential benefits to the patients are quite significant. With a smaller incision, a shorter rehabilitation time and less blood loss, patients are back on their feet much faster when compared to standard knee replacement surgery.

Not all patients are candidates for the minimally invasive technique, including those who have had previous knee replacement, a recent history of deep vein thrombosis or other unstable medical conditions.

In a study comparing patients who received traditional and minimally invasive knee replacement, those who had MIS Quad-Sparing TKA experienced similar or improved patient outcomes.