Tech for Your Health
Patients needing a knee replacement can benefit from this muscle-sparing technique.
Total knee replacement is one of the most common surgeries in the U.S., performed nearly 800,000 times each year. The procedure is used to treat severe knee pain that interferes with daily activities, often caused by arthritis.
Traditional total knee replacement involves making a large incision down the center of the knee and cutting through the quadriceps, or quads – the muscle group responsible for extending the knee – to access the joint. However, thanks to surgical advancements, it is now possible to preserve the quads during knee replacement.
Known as quad-sparing total knee replacement, this minimally invasive surgical approach uses a smaller incision and avoids damaging the quads. Instead, the surgeon works around or under the muscles.
How Does It Work?
During quad-sparing total knee replacement, patients will first receive general anesthesia. The surgeon will then make a small incision over the affected knee and carefully work around the quads to access the knee joint and remove the damaged bone. Artificial parts are then inserted to restore smooth movement and provide support to the joint. The surgeon will then close the incision, concluding surgery. Physical therapy is often recommended during the recovery period to help strengthen the knee and restore movement.
The Benefits of Quad-Sparing Total Knee Replacement
In addition to relieving pain and restoring function to the knee, the quad-sparing technique lets patients enjoy:
- Preserved muscle function
- Reduced post-operative pain
- A faster restoration of strength and mobility
- A quicker return to normal activities
An Expert Weighs In
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in advertising with the distinction of summa cum laude and served as editor-in-chief of the university’s biannual magazine, The Vindagua. After graduation, Rachel joined CMC Media & Marketing Group as an editor. Today, she serves as managing editor and is responsible for leading the editorial team in the development and completion of content for 17 publications involving health & wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville™ – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. In addition to writing, editing, and coordinating copy, Rachel oversees networking and reputation management for the company’s publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.
