Minimally Invasive Surgery

Traditional, open surgical procedures can require lengthy recovery times. Minimally invasive surgery is an alternative to traditional approaches for some orthopedic procedures. In the right candidates, it can be very successful in minimizing postoperative recovery and pain.

At Beaumont Bone and Joint Institute, we offer a full range of orthopaedic treatment options. Our experienced surgeons use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Traditional approaches to orthopedic surgery often require large incisions and in some cases, splitting or detaching the nearby muscles to access the area being operated on. This often means that recovery times can be long and painful, and there may be more blood loss during surgery.

With minimally invasive techniques, surgeons make one or a few smaller incisions, using specially-designed operating instruments. These techniques allow the surgeon to perform the surgery with less disturbance of the surrounding structures. This leads to less blood loss, less pain after surgery, a shorter hospital stay, and quicker recovery times when compared with traditional open surgery.

Candidates for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery may not be right for all patients. A complete evaluation is necessary to determine whether or not minimally invasive surgery is right for you.

Minimally invasive surgery may not be right for patients who are overweight or who need revision procedures. If the patient has a severe joint deformity, needs more extensive repairs, is very muscular, or has a condition that slows wound healing, traditional open surgery may be a better option.

Candidates for minimally invasive surgery are generally younger, thinner, healthier, and more active. While minimally invasive techniques can minimize recovery times, patients need to be motivated to participate in the recovery program to yield the best results.

Common Minimally Invasive Procedures

Although these procedures are traditionally performed using open surgical techniques, advances in technology have led to minimally invasive surgical methods for these procedures.

Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement

Minimally invasive knee replacements also use the same implants as traditional knee replacements. The incision is smaller than what is required for a traditional knee replacement, and special surgical instruments are used to properly place the implants. This approach allows for less disturbance of the quadriceps tendon and the muscles at the front of the thigh, which may lead to less pain after surgery and a quicker recovery time. Minimally invasive knee replacements will still require a hospital stay and physical therapy after the procedure.

Minimally Invasive Rotator Cuff Repair

Traditionally, torn rotator cuffs have been repaired using an open technique. Advancements in technology have led to the use of arthroscopy in many rotator cuff repairs. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique in which a small camera called an arthroscope is inserted into a small incision, allowing the surgeon to view the torn rotator cuff without having to make a large incision. Small operating instruments are inserted into another small incision to make the repair. Smaller incisions can lead to quicker recovery times and less pain after surgery.

Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery in Beaumont, TX

The highly skilled and experienced surgeons at Beaumont Bone and Joint Institute offer a variety of surgical procedures to treat orthopedic conditions, including minimally invasive surgical procedures. If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors to find out if you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, contact our office at (409) 838-0346 (Beaumont office).