Minimally Invasive Surgery Grows In Popularity
Whether the reason is arthritis or injury, more and more Americans are opting for joint replacement surgery. Research estimates surgeons perform about one million joint replacement procedures per year. These include knee, hip, and even elbow replacement surgeries. This is a significant spike compared to 50 years ago when surgery first started. Why? Minimally invasive surgery has made what was once a complicated, risky procedure safer and more accessible.
Why choose surgery?
Any patient deciding on surgery has reached a point of no return. The patient may have suffered from conditions like arthritis for months or even years, with no relief. Non-surgical options were unsuccessful. These conditions wear away the bone and cartilage, creating pain as the bones clank together after the simplest movements. The goal of surgery is to replace worn or damaged bone and cartilage with prosthetic parts. Joint replacements make the joint more durable and relieve pain.
Open vs minimally invasive surgery
So what’s all the hype about minimally invasive surgery? Before, doctors performed joint replacement via open surgery. The surgeon would cut several inches along the knee to reveal the joint. Minimally invasive surgery or MIS combines advancements in technology and surgery to the patient’s benefit. Using incisions the size of button-holes, the surgeon can insert an arthroscope and smaller tools to perform the surgery. The arthroscope gives the surgeon a high-powered view of the joint using a camera. Using the feed, the surgeon can then replace the joint. Still unsure if MIS works? Here are 3 reasons to consider this over open surgery.
1. Back on your feet in no time
One of the most significant advantages of MIS is the quick recovery time. With open surgery, the patient does not only have to worry about the prosthetics. There is also an incision several inches long. Both need the right care for proper healing, so MIS cuts this time down significantly. Collectively, the incisions are about 2 inches in length. MIS also does not disrupt the surrounding muscles, tissue, and bone. Research shows that patients can experience up to 90% shorter recovery time compared to open surgery.
2. The odds are in your favor
With smaller incisions and complications, minimally invasive procedures have tremendous outcomes. Total joint replacement has a 95% success rate. Furthermore, surgery is known to show great results many years later. Open surgery is also successful, but generally records an 85% success rate minimum. These surgeries are more prone to infections, muscle and tissue damage. Patients should then consider MIS since the outcomes could be twice as safe.
3. No need for a conventional hospital
Total joint replacement has even evolved into an outpatient procedure. If a patient is in generally good health and the surgery goes well, the patient can go home the same day. That means the patient can have MIS at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or surgicenter. Surgicenters are stand-alone clinics that focus on minimally invasive and other outpatient procedures. Under the guidance of the patient’s doctor, a patient can simply schedule and get surgery at an ASC. Surgicenters help patients avoid the unpredictability of a conventional hospital. The patient gets a joint replacement and leaves the same day while benefitting from reduced costs and better service.
The choice is clear
If total joint replacement of any kind is in the cards, opt for a minimally invasive procedure. These procedures are now the gold standard. MIS reduces scarring, infection, and recovery time. Open surgery, while successful, also has a higher risk of infection, scarring, and costs more long-term. Best of all, patients can opt for MIS on a specific schedule, using a service like a surgicenter. Persons with chronic joint pain should speak with a doctor about minimally invasive joint surgery today.
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“No severe pain – Just a little discomfort – I was asked several times during procedure if I was OK – they showed genuine concern for my well being.”
“Rebecca was amazing. I have always had trouble in the past with getting an IV started. I told Rebecca I was concerned about it. She got it on the 1st try – no digging in my arm and NO bruising the next day.”
“Everyone was concerned with my comfort.”
“Dr. Best…is the best!”
“Everyone was friendly and concerned about my comfort. They frequently asked how I was doing, or if I needed something.”
“Dr. Dedhia made everything clear and even scheduled an early follow-up appt so I could get back to work sooner.”
“Amazing nurses, very caring and friendly and put both me and my son at ease.”
“Marcia and staff were excellent and genuinely cared for my well being. Wish I could have taken them home.”
“No severe pain – Just a little discomfort – I was asked several times during procedure if I was OK – they showed genuine concern for my well being.”
“Experience was amazing. The nurses my son needed at this time couldn’t have been chosen any more perfect. They were supportive and understanding, patient and just great human beings.THANK YOU KINDLY ”
“The STAFF from the moment you walk in were the nicest people I’ve encountered at a medical facility.”
“NO wait time, RN Rebecca answered all questions prior to my visit by phone and again answered all questions and concerns while prepping me.”
“The nurses were very nice and caring!”
“Everyone was friendly and the place was very clean.”
“Dr. Tupper was amazing! He spent time explaining exactly what he was doing, what I would experience and made sure I was comfortable.”
“Dr. Dedhia made everything clear and even scheduled an early follow-up appt so I could get back to work sooner.”
“The staff was very polite, they were excellent. They explained exactly what was going on.”
“The staff was great, especially Mary and Marcia. Marcia was extremely helpful post-op and made sure I was comfortable and well-cared for.”
“Incredibly professional, friendly and confidence of knowing their roles as healthcare employees. Excellent!”
“I can’t say enough about Marcia and the entire team. The care I received was well beyond anything I could have expected.”
“Everyone was concerned with my comfort.”
“I liked that it was so clean. Every staff member was pleasant and easy to talk with.”
“Everyone was friendly and concerned about my comfort. They frequently asked how I was doing, or if I needed something.”
“Amazing nurses, very caring and friendly and put both me and my son at ease.”
“Anesthesia staff was outstanding!”
“NO wait time, RN Rebecca answered all questions prior to my visit by phone and again answered all questions and concerns while prepping me.”
“Dr. Tupper was amazing! He spent time explaining exactly what he was doing, what I would experience and made sure I was comfortable.”
“The nurses were very nice and caring!”
“Incredibly professional, friendly and confidence of knowing their roles as healthcare employees. Excellent!”
“I liked that it was so clean. Every staff member was pleasant and easy to talk with.”
“I can’t say enough about Marcia and the entire team. The care I received was well beyond anything I could have expected.”
“Efficiency of the staff. Courteous, friendly and caring attitude. Excellent office staff. Pleasant surroundings.”
“All staff were wonderful.”
“The STAFF from the moment you walk in were the nicest people I’ve encountered at a medical facility.”
“Dr. Best…is the best!”
“Entire staff was knowledgeable and courteous. They genuinely cared for my well being and made sure my wife and I were taken care of.”
“Marcia and staff were excellent and genuinely cared for my well being. Wish I could have taken them home.”
“Efficiency of the staff. Courteous, friendly and caring attitude. Excellent office staff. Pleasant surroundings.”
“The staff was very polite, they were excellent. They explained exactly what was going on.”
“Entire staff was knowledgeable and courteous. They genuinely cared for my well being and made sure my wife and I were taken care of.”
“The staff was great, especially Mary and Marcia. Marcia was extremely helpful post-op and made sure I was comfortable and well-cared for.”
“All staff were wonderful.”
“Everyone was friendly and the place was very clean.”
“Anesthesia staff was outstanding!”
“Experience was amazing. The nurses my son needed at this time couldn’t have been chosen any more perfect. They were supportive and understanding, patient and just great human beings.THANK YOU KINDLY ”
“Rebecca was amazing. I have always had trouble in the past with getting an IV started. I told Rebecca I was concerned about it. She got it on the 1st try – no digging in my arm and NO bruising the next day.”
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