The aim of this study was to compare the short-term results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgeries performed with minimally invasive mini-midvastus (MMV) incision and the standard medial parapatellar technique (ST).
Twenty patients (18 males, 2 females; mean age: 67.25±6.70) operated with the ST and 19 patients (4 males, 15 females; mean age: 64.53±7.53) operated with the MMV approach were retrospectively evaluated. The surgery time, blood loss, time to straight leg raise (SLR) postoperatively, range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society (KSS) score and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score were compared between the groups. Radiological evaluation was made with standing orthoroentgenographs both pre- and postoperatively. Mean follow-up time was 29.4±8.2 months in the ST and 17.7±11.1 months in the MMV group.
In the early postoperative period (10th day), the MMV group was significantly better than the ST group in terms of ROM. Time to SLR and blood loss values were also significantly better in the MMV group. However, there was no significant difference between the groups after the sixth month, for ROM, KSS and HSS values (p>0.05). Surgery time was significantly longer (with a mean difference of 22 minutes) in the MMV group. Radiological examination revealed ideal alignment in both groups. No deep or superficial infection was detected. Two patients in the MMV group had skin problems which healed after clinical follow-up.
Our results suggested that functional results of TKAs performed via the MMV approach are better in the first six months when compared to those of the ST.