Mini-Inciscion Surgery

Mini incision surgery is the practice of total joint replacement by using smaller incisions. Mini incision surgery is usually best suited for patients with a smaller body mass.

It is important to mention that some orthopedic practices claim that "mini incision surgery" is a "minimally invasive procedure" This claim is very false. Total hip replacement surgery is major surgery, and although in a mini incision case the incision may be smaller, the invasion of the hip capsule remains present. Since the incision is smaller in a mini-incision case, less exposure is achieved, causing for even greater "invasion" in a smaller space. Not only is "mini incision" surgery invasive, it can be more invasive than traditional incision and exposure techniques.

Attempting to achieve the same results as a traditional procedure compared to a "mini incision" procedure can also yield many complications.

Think of mini-incision total hip replacement as attempting to fix a plumbing problem in the wall with a smaller hole. It is much harder to visually see the area being worked on with a smaller hole. With this decreased visibility, it is easier to accidentally damage surrounding areas, possibly causing nerve damage, vascular damage, or damage to surrounding tissue.

When preparing the femur for the femoral prosthesis, it is easier to fracture the trochanter because of limited visibility. Attempting to insert a femoral component that is too large can accidentally cause a fracture.

Decreased visibility of the hip capsule can lead to insertion of devices that are not appropriate size. Putting in devices that are too large can lead to a "tight hip", where the joint's range of motion (ROM) is affected. Devices that are too small can lead to easier dislocation or loose prosthesis, requiring a revision surgery down the road.

It is important to understand that mini incisions surgery is not a replacement for good follow up procedures. Proper physical therapy strengthening exercises and appropriate precautions with a new hip are important whither your incision is 5 inches or 15 inches.

Since mini incision surgery is a fairly new practice, no long term data on the success of the operation is available. Until long term data is available, it is unknown if mini incision surgery is a successful practice for total hip replacement.