title: Minimally invasive surgical technique in total knee arthroplasty: a learning curve.
abstract: Clinical experience of learning a new technique of minimally surgery for total knee arthroplasty is presented. Close monitoring of the technique, pitfalls, learning tips, and tricks are discussed. A "learning phase" is identified as approximately 10 months or 21 knee replacements using minimally invasive technique. It took 50 operations before the surgical time equaled the open technique. There was no incidence of increased complications during the learning phase. Functional results such as stair climbing, walking distance, and walking with aids was significantly better after minimally invasive technique than after standard technique.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom. mudigere@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Shankar N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kashyap
authors.forename: Jan Willem
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Van Ommeren
authors.forename: Sushma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shankar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery; D020127:Recovery of Function