Quicker Recovery. Less Pain.
The George Washington University Hospital is just one of eleven sites nationwide — and the first in D.C. — to perform the new minimally invasive knee replacement developed by Zimmer, Inc.
Also known as "quad sparing knee surgery," the new procedure involves a 3-4 inch incision that avoids splitting the muscles around the knee. This approach reduces pain and can cut recovery time by half when compared to traditional ‘open' knee surgery (six weeks versus twelve).
As minimally invasive techniques are still being refined, the procedure actually takes a surgeon more time to perform — about two hours — as compared with a traditional "open" knee replacement, which takes about an hour. The surgery requires a two to three-day hospital stay and most insurance plans cover the procedure.
Ideal candidates for the procedure are those who are fit both medically and physically and can adapt to a vigorous rehab plan.