Minimally invasive surgical techniques offer vast improvements over traditional open surgery–especially for athletes and arthritis sufferers. Minimally invasive knee surgeries, such as partial knee resurfacing and knee arthroscopy, offer patients benefits such as shorter post-operative recovery time, less blood loss, and potentially less scarring due to the smaller incisions.
Dr. Haar performs outpatient partial knee replacement in an in-office surgical facility, accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF).Dr. Haar is the only orthopaedic doctor in Manhattan, NYC that routinely performs partial knee replacements in an outpatient surgical facility, offering a procedure that allows for the quickest recovery time using minimally invasive methods. He is also an expert in knee arthroscopy, and has performed thousands of arthroscopic knee surgeries to correct sports injuries and other ailments affecting the knee.
Total knee replacement surgery has been performed in the United States for decades, returning patients to their active lifestyle and daily routines, as well as alleviating the pain associated with osteoarthritis and other debilitating conditions. While traditional knee surgery is one of the safest surgeries currently being performed, it has a set of caveats: post-operative pain associated with the disturbance of muscle tendon and ligaments, significant scarring, and the occasional possibility that the joint replacement will require future revision surgery.
Minimally invasive procedures, such as knee arthroscopy or partial knee resurfacing, help the surgeon provide the patient with the most accurate prosthetic positioning, improved wear characteristics of the implant, and reduced post-operative downtime. Additionally, should a revision total knee replacement become necessary after the replacement joint has run past its life expectancy, minimally invasive methods put the surgeon in a better position for performing the procedure successfully.
Knee arthroscopy, also commonly referred to as “scoping the knee,” is a minimally invasive approach that involves making small incisions to operate on the affected joint. In the first incision, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera, called an “arthroscope,” that allows for a real-time view of the knee joint from the inside. This image is sent to a monitor where the operating surgeon has a clear view of the joint. In a second incision, the surgeon inserts the pencil-sized operating instruments to perform the procedure. Because of the enhanced field of vision provided by the arthroscope, a much smaller incision is required to perform corrective surgeries such as ACL reconstruction, PCL reconstruction, and meniscus repair.
Dr. Haar performs partial knee replacement procedures in a safe and modern surgical facility from his office on the Upper East Side on E 88th Street. This outpatient procedure helps correct damage done to the knee joint and surrounding cartilage due to arthritis, and helps patients and athletes get back on their feet faster than ever. In partial knee replacement, only the affected compartment of the knee is removed and replaced with a prosthetic, leaving the healthy bone in place. On average, partial knee replacements last about fifteen to twenty years — the same life expectancy of a traditional knee replacement.
Benefits include smaller incisions, less blood loss, a shorter recovery period, and a more natural feeling joint as compared to total knee replacements. These benefits make partial knee replacement surgery ideal for younger patients who may have put off surgery for fear of the operation itself.
If you are experiencing knee pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Haar at his Upper East Side Manhattan office to see if you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.
